Parl panel for protecting tribal rights in mining areas
New Delhi: Concerned over alleged violation
of rights of tribals in mining areas in states like Orissa and
Chattisgarh, a Parliamentary panel on Tuesday sought protection of
their livelihood, besides securing more say for state
governments in the upcoming Act to regulate the sector.
"Members wanted that in the proposed Act, the views of
the state governments should prevail and the rights of the
tribal and local people should be kept in mind while mining,"
an official statement said here.
Even as the members of the Parliamentary Consultative
Committee attached to Mines Ministry voiced their concerns,
the panel collectively called for a new mechanism to further
the growth of the sector.
"The basic approach of the National Mineral Policy is to
strengthen the existing systems and develop new systems for
regulating the sector for increasing its contribution to the
national economy, and at the same time integrate aspirations
of the locals for sustainable mining," the statement said
quoting Mines Minister B K Handique.
The Ministry is drafting a new Act to replace Mines
Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) or MMDR Act,
1957, which governs the mining sector. The Act will support
the New Mineral Policy.
Large projects of companies like Vedanta, Tata Steel,
ArcelorMittal are struggling to take off due to tribal
protests.
Bureau Report