(a) whether Disinvestment Commission has recommended in mining sector in 1998 to bring down the Government equity to 26 % and zero over a period of time;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) the total government equity brought down so far;
(d) whether the Government propose to decontrol the mining sector fully; and
(e) if so, the details thereof and the time by which this process is likely to be completed?
MINISTER OF STATE OF THE MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING AND MINISTER OF STATE OF THE DEPARTMENT OF DISINVESTMENT (SHRI ARUN JAITLEY)
(a) No, Sir.
(b) Does not arise.
(c) The total Government equity brought down so far in respect of National Aluminum company Limited (NALCO) is 87.15%; Hindustan Zinc Limited (HZL) is 76% and Hindustan Copper Limited (HCL) is 98.92%. In rest of the public sector undertakings under the Department of Mines, 100% equity is with Government of India.
(d)&(e) Constitution empowers the Central Government to regulate mines and minerals development to the extent to which such regulation and development under the control of the Union is declared by Parliament by law to be expedient in the public interest. Amongst the non-strategic PSUs, there is no sector specific policy for disinvestment.