(a) whether the Dang Committee and Hoda Committee have been set up to formulate the New National Mineral Policy (NMP), 2008;
(b) if so, whether they have arrived at varying figures about the current iron-ore reserves of the country;
(c) if so, the details thereof alongwith reasons therefor;
(d) whether the NMP has been framed on the basis of the committee`s estimates; and
(e) if not, the reasons therefor?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS & FERTILIZERS AND MINISTRY OF MINES
(SHRI B.K. HANDIQUE)
(a) to (c): While the High Level Committee under the Chairmanship of Shri Anwarul Hoda,
Member, Planning Commission was constituted to review the National Mineral Policy and to
recommend possible amendments to the MMDR Act, the `Expert Group` under the chairmanship of
Shri R.K.Dang constituted by Ministry of Steel was set up only for formulating guidelines
for preferential grant of mining lease for iron ore, manganese ore and chrome ore by state
governments. However, there is difference in figures on iron ore reserves mentioned in the
Dang Committee and the Hoda Committee report because the Dang Committee has assessed iron
ore reserves in the basis of pre-United Nations` Framework Classification standards which
have been adopted by the IBM and guidelines issued since 3rd June, 2003. Further the Dang
Committee has not taken into account the prospective resources of 1480 million tonnes.
(d) & (e) : The National Mineral Policy, 2008 lays down policy directions not only for iron
ore but the entire mineral sector. Hence, the NMP is not merely based on committee`s assessment
of iron ore but on the assessment of dynamic environment developed in mineral sector. Based
on the recommendation of Hoda Committee and consultation with stake holders, the Govt. has
approved new National Mineral Policy, 2008 on 13th March, 2008. The new National Mineral Policy
has been tabled in the Parliament and is available on website of Ministry of Mines (http://
mines.nic.in).