Mining bill a mixed bag

The Mines and Minerals (Development & Regulation) Bill, cleared by the cabinet last week, signals that the government`s heart is in the right place. Under its provisions, coal firms must share 26% of their net profits with project area residents, while non-coal miners will have to provide them a sum equal to royalty paid to state governments. No system is in place at present to properly compensate mining-affected communities. So, there`s no faulting the intention to reduce popular resistance to mining projects by giving locals a stake in them.

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