Lok Sabha Question No. 2028 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-11
Subject: National Mineral Exploration Trust
Ministry: MINES
Asked by: Shri Vishnu Datt Sharma

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MINES

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2028

ANSWERED ON 11.02.2026

## NATIONAL MINERAL EXPLORATION TRUST

2028.  SHRI VISHNU DATT SHARMA: Will the Minister of MINES be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government is implementing transparent mineral leasing, NMETfunded  projects  and  community-development  obligations  to  ensure  local  benefit from mining and if so, the details thereof; (b)  whether  any  mineral  exploration  licences,  mining  leases  or  NMET-supported projects are operational in the districts of Katni, Panna and town of Khajuraho in Khajuraho Lok Sabha Constituency and if so, the details thereof; (c) the details of the local employment generated, training provided and utilisation of lease/National Mineral Exploration Trust (NMET) contributions for welfare works; (d) whether mining faces constraints in these districts and if so, the details thereof along with the reasons and steps for fair compensation, rehabilitation and livelihood support; and (e)  the  safeguards  to  ensure  transparent  grievance  redressal,  environmental

- protection and preference to local residents in mining-related employment?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF COAL AND MINES (SHRI G. KISHAN REDDY)

(a): The Government grants mineral leases by auction and NMEDT-funded projects in a  transparent  manner.  Since 2015,  total of  612  mineral  blocks  auctioned  and  656 projects  sanctioned  by  the  National  Mineral  Exploration  and  Development  Trust (NMEDT).  Further,  the  District  Mineral  Foundation  (DMF)  fulfills  the  community development obligations.

(b) to (d): As per the information received from Government of Madhya Pradesh, 11 mineral concessions (CL & ML) have been auctioned, while 96 other mining leases and 9 NMEDT-funded exploration projects operational in Katni, Panna and Chhatarpur districts  and  no  constraints  have  been  reported  with  respect  to mining  activities  in these districts.

As  per  a  study  conducted  by  the  Skill  Council  for  Mining  Sector  (SCMS), approximately 1.3 crore employment was generated in mining sector in the country and 1,313 apprentices were engaged by Central Public Sector Undertakings under the

Ministry  of  Mines  in  FY  2024-25.  Further,  DMF  contribution  received  from  mining activity is utilized for welfare works for local communities.

(e): Before grant of mineral concessions, it is mandatory to obtain requisite statutory clearances from various departments of the Central Government and respective State Governments, including Environmental Clearance and Forest Clearance. As part of grant of Environmental Clearance, public consultation is done to address the concerns of local community. The prospective lessees carry out Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) and submit the Environment Management Plan (EMP) based on scientific  study  by  taking  into  consideration  likely  impact  of  project  activity  on  the baseline  environment.  The  mining  lease  holders  implement  the  environmental mitigation measures as approved during grant of Environmental Clearance. The above safeguards ensure that mining activity is aligned with public interest.

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