Lok Sabha Question No. 3560 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-23
Subject: Protection of Tribal Rights in Mine Auction System
Ministry: MINES
Asked by: RAJESH RANJAN  (PAPPU  YADAV)

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MINES

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION N O.3560 TO BE ANSWERED ON 23 RD  MARCH , 2017

3560. SHRI RAJESH RANJAN:

Will the Minister of MINES be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the  Government has  brought changes in several laws to protect tribal rights to ensure that 130 mines are not auctioned again and remain with the earlier owners, if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government has changed the laws in the interest of mining companies in the name of protecting tribal rights, if so, the facts thereof;
- (c) the number of mines auctioned after the enactment of Mines and Minerals Development Regulation Act and the revenue earned by the Union and the concerned States separately as a re sult of the same; and
- (d) the steps taken/to be taken by the Government to safeguard the tribal rights in the mining areas of the country?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR POWER, COAL, NEW & RENEWABLE ENERGY AND MINES (SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)

- (a) & (b) : No Madam.
- (c)  The number of mines auctioned mineral -wise including the total estimated revenue after the enactment of MMDR Amendment Act, 1957 are as follows:

| State          | Number of Mines auctioned after the enactment of MMDR Act,   | Mineral                            |   Total estimated revenue (Rs. Crore) |
|----------------|--------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------|---------------------------------------|
| Andhra Pradesh | 1                                                            | Limestone                          |                                   345 |
| Chhattisgarh   | 2+1                                                          | 2- Limestone 1- Gold               |                                  6800 |
| Jharkhand      | 2+1                                                          | 2-Limestone 1-Gold 1-Gold          |                                   210 |
| Karnataka      | 7                                                            | Iron ore                           |                                 34353 |
| Madhya Pradesh | 1                                                            | Diamond                            |                                    38 |
| Rajasthan      | 3                                                            | Limestone                          |                                 17463 |
| Odisha         | 1+1+1                                                        | 1-Iron ore 1-Limestone 1-Manganese |                                 14150 |
| Total          | 21                                                           |                                    |                                 73359 |

The entire revenue accrued by way of auction of these mines will be earned by the State Government concerned.

(d):  The Government is committed to safeguard the tribal rights in the country including  in the mining areas. The mining leases in the country are granted as per provisions  of the Mines and Minerals  (Development and Regulation) (MMDR) Act, 1957. However, before starting of any mining activities, all statutory provisions as contained in  various relevant Acts and Rules viz, the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 , the  provisions of the Panchayats (Extension to the Schedul ed Areas) Act, 1996 (40 of 1996); and the Scheduled Tribes and other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Fores t Rights) Act, 2006 (2 of 2007)  are to be complied with .

As per section 4(k) of the provisions of the Panchayats (Extension to the Sched uled Areas) Act, 1996 the recommendations of the Gram Sabha or the Panchayats at the appropriate level shall be made mandatory prior to grant of prospecting licence or mining lease for minor minerals in the Scheduled Areas.

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