ABSTRACT
Many state public sector undertakings (PSUs) have tied up with private firms forming projects including Orissa Mineral Corporation and Mysore Mineral Limited. Meanwhile the apex miners’ body Federation of Indian Mineral Industries had blamed state PSUs for taking advantage of private firms under the joint venture mining route. Sources in the ministry said that the new mining bill will not allow such indirect routes adopted by private firms to pursue mining projects by joining hands with state mineral companies. The Andhra Pradesh Mineral Development Corporation has also tied up with the JSW Group for bauxite mining at Araku region. The government today said it would not tolerate any ‘back door’ entries by industry for seeking mines, a move that could dampen corporate efforts of forging alliances with PSUs for their mining projects. But if the mining lease is given to PSUs it should be utilised by PSUs.
