Select panels start work on mining bills

The select committees on two crucial bills related to mining sector on Friday began work and will meet over weekend to ensure that they could submit their reports by the March 18 deadline.

The proceedings of the two committees on the first day were confined to presentations by Mining Secretary and other officials on Mines and Mineral (Development and Regulation) Amendment (MMDRA) Bill and Coal Secretary on Coal Mines (Special Provisions) Amendment Bill.

The Select Committee on MMDRA Bill is chaired by Bhupender Yadav of the BJP and will have 18 other members from various parties. BJP member Anil Dave chairs the 19-member panel on Coal Mines (Special Provisions) Bill.

Sources said the Select Committee on Coal Bill heard the secretary and is likely to hear secretaries of Power and Tribal Ministries in the next two days.

A demand for calling officials, state governments affected by coal mining and trade unions was raised in Coal-related Select Committee but a decision was not taken. A decision on whether and when to call them will be taken later, a source said.

The select committee on Mines and Minerals Bill will also hear officials from various ministries in the next couple of days. With a strict deadline in place, sources said, both the committees have decided to have sittings on both Saturday and Sunday.