The Union Government is mulling to set up an independent regulator for the
mining sector to deal with issues such as irregularities and delay in
clearances.
The proposed Mines and Minerals Development and Regulation (MMDR) Bill, 2010
envisages setting up a technical regulator. Once the MMDR Bill gets cabinet
approval, it is likely to be introduced in the current Parliament session.
The proposed technical regulator is expected to be like a tribunal outside
the Union Ministry of Mining and it will be composed of independent people. The
Indian Bureau of Mines is the current technical regulator for the sector. Even
the Ministry's orders will be subject to the tribunal that will also act as a
quasi-judicial body.