Independent regulator to check illegal mining
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COMMENTS 
In a bid to intensify its drive against illegal mining, the government plans to set up an independent sectoral regulator, possibly through an ordinance under the existing Mines Act
The Indian government is examining how to put a National Mining Regulatory Authority in place, possibly through an ordinance in the existing Mines and Mineral Development and Regulation Act (MMDR Act), 1957. The government is also set to make the registration of miners and traders mandatory under the Mineral Conservation Development Rules (MCDR).
“A ministerial panel constituted to examine the new mining legislation is of the view that we must have an independent regulatory authority to check illegal mining,” a senior government official told the media. The official said the new mining legislation, which makes it mandatory for miners to share 26% of their profits with the people affected by their projects, was under consideration and it would be some time before it was enacted.
“We are trying to set up this authority in advance of the proposed new law, which may be time-consuming as the group of ministers (GoM) constituted will meet again to give a final nod to it,” the official said, adding that the Bill would then be referred to the Cabinet.
The National Mining Regulatory Authority will be vested with powers to investigate and prosecute those involved in illegal mining. The Centre has already asked all state governments to constitute high-level committees to crack down on illegal mining.
At present, there are not enough legal provisions for central intervention in illegal mining in the states. The problem is so huge that as many as 42,000 cases of violation were detected in 11 mineral-rich states last year.
The country produced 226 million tonnes of iron ore in the last fiscal, half of which was exported. Miners in recent years have made huge profits and cut employment as metal prices zoomed globally and new capital-intensive practices reduced the need for labour.
Source: The Hindu, September 20, 2010
Press Trust of India, September 19, 2010
The Telegraph, September 18, 2010