Question : MINING WITHOUT NOC

(a) whether the Union Government proposes to allow metal and mining companies without obtaining No Objection Certificate (NOC) from landowners;

(b) if so, the details and the reasons thereof;

(c) whether the Union Government also proposes to amend the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act and thereby reduce the powers of the State Governments;

(d) if so, the details thereof; and

(e) the details of the blue print proposed for reforming mining sectors and the procedures involved therein?

THE MINISTER OF MINES AND MINISTER OF DEVELOPMENT OF NORTH EASTERN REGION (SHRI B.K. HANDIQUE)

(a) to (e) State Government grants mineral concession as the owners of minerals. Prior approval of Central Government is necessary before grant of mineral concession in respect of specified minerals listed in the First Schedule of the Mines and Minerals (Development & Regulation) Act, 1957. The existing provisions in Mineral Concession Rules, 1960 allow an applicant to submit the NOC before the commencement of mining operations. As such even at present there is no requirement that NOC has to be obtained before applying for mining lease. The National Mineral Policy, 2008 has given certain policy directions and an exercise is underway to give legislative backing to the policy.