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Hoda report implementation will remove hurdles in mineral sector, says Minister

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Favours restrictions on scope of public hearings on environmental impact

— PTI Photo

AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE: Union Minister of State for Mines, T. Subbarami Reddy (left) giving Gem Granite Environment Award to representatives of Rampura Agucha Mine during the 40th annual general meeting of the Federation of Indian Mineral Industries in New Delhi on Saturday.

NEW DELHI: Minister of State for Mines T. Subbarami Reddy on Saturday said that the recommendations of the Anwarul Hoda committee report on the new mining policy, when implemented, would remove numerous hurdles in the way of the mineral industry. The sector could then be expected to attract substantial foreign direct investment (FDI), he said.

Inaugurating the 40th annual general meeting of the Federation of Indian Mineral Industries (FIMI) here, Mr. Reddy praised the industry association for extending professional advice on policies and legislation to the Government on the mineral sector.

Mr. Reddy assured the industry that the new mining policy, to be announced soon, would help create a conducive environment for the growth of the entire spectrum of the metal and mining sector.

He later presented the FIMI awards for 2005-06. The FIMI `Excellence Award' was bagged by the Chhattisgarh-based Bailadila iron ore project of the National Mineral Development Corporation (NMDC). Bailadila ore project and Sukinda chrome mine of Orissa bagged the Social Awareness Award.

The `Environment Award' for 2005-06 went to Century Cement's limestone mine in Chhattisgarh, while the FIMI `Gem Granite Award' went to Hindustan Zinc Limited (HZL) for its Rampura Agucha mine which has taken up various social welfare measures.

Earlier, FIMI President D. K. Sahni urged the Government to do away with the policy of allocating captive mines to plants as it acted as the "intra-industry subsidy for the selected few.''

PTI reports:

`Take care of tribals'

The Minister supported the demand of the mining industry to limit the scope of public hearing on alleged mining irregularities to local people, as vested interests were creating problem for the miners.

"Public hearing should be limited and outsiders should not be allowed. Local people and NGOs should only be allowed,'' Mr. Reddy said. The Hoda Committee has also recommended limiting of public hearing. Mr. Reddy, however, advised the miners to undertake due diligence to ensure the welfare of the tribal population living in the mining areas and work out a credible rehabilitation plan for them.

He asked the mining companies to enquire as to how their counterparts in Africa managed to carry on exploration activities in the dense jungle areas.

FIMI President requested the Mines Ministry to implement the Hoda Committee's recommendations as early as possible.

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