RS passes Bill to boost exploration and supply of critical and deep-seated minerals
The Bill was passed through voice vote as almost all Opposition members had walked out early over their demand for a discussion on the revision of electoral rolls in Bihar. No Opposition member participated in the two-hour discussion during which 19 MPs spoke in support of the Bill. Lok Sabha passed the Bill on August 12.
One of the key provisions of the Bill amending the original 1957 Act is to enable inclusion of new minerals in a mining lease.
Minister of Mines G Kishan Reddy said about the government's work on critical minerals: 'Today in each sector, from automobile to defence, we need critical minerals such as beryllium, cobalt, gallium. We have identified 24 critical minerals and `32,000 crore set aside for the critical mineral mission.'
He said critical mineral exploration will happen outside India in Zambia, Australia and Argentina. 'India's public sector company KABIL has begun exploration in five blocks in Argentina and production on lithium will start from next year,' he said. The government launched the National Critical Mineral Mission in January. Critical minerals are used in solar panels, wind turbines, electric vehicles and in energy storage.
Earlier, CPI (M) John Brittas raised a point of order under Rule 67 and said that the Bill trampled on the rights of states, usurping powers of state governments. He said that the Bill should be sent to the select committee as it has far-reaching impacts. However, Ghanshyam Tiwari, who was in the chair, did not accept his demand.
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