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Mineral Price Index: A Pragmatic Step for Mineral Development in India

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  -         Rajesh Deoliya [rajeshdeoliya@gmail.com] An Index is indication of a value and performance of an asset and commodity with reference to certain predefined parameters. Index gives idea of behavior of specified commodity or asset in the time and space and help in quick and rational decision making. Index also help in planning purposes in the production schedule of minerals where grade and mineral conservation is prime concern in-turn it also helps in sustainable mining. Therefore, when government of India recently introduced National Coal Index (NCI), it is considered as a pragmatic step to help coal miners and government to decide the coal block bidding parameters. Now there is proposal for National Mineral Index. The National Mineral Policy, 2008 and 2019, says that “the approach shall be to make available mineral based material to domestic users at reasonable prices as determined by market forces”, and further states that “prices should reflect their value … ". T

2G Spectrum- Reason for Mineral Auction in India

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                                                                                                                                          -         Rajesh Deoliya [ rajeshdeoliya@gmail.com] THE grant of licenses for business always invite questions of transparency and related litigation to delay the purpose for which it was granted. The 2G spectrum case has dealt the methods of grant of licenses in detail and preferred auction as better mean for allocation of natural resources. In doing so, the apex court analyzed the a) the doctrine of public property, b) First – cum- First – Serve method of grant and c) auction method for grant of natural resources. Interestingly, use of word "auction" surfaced first time in the recommendation of Telecom Authority of India (TRAI) in year 2007 though it was not preferred over the First-Cum-First Serve criteria for allocation of spectrum. This decision of central government created uproar and brought drastic changes in grant of licenses in

Flood Management: Need of New Approach To Save Environment

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Rajesh Deoliya [rajeshdeoliya@gmail.com] The states of Assam, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh in India are highly vulnerable to flood, year after year, the extent of flood and associated damage is alarming and need attention from the state and central government to formulate a fresh, short and long term comprehensive policy with objective of mitigation of severity of flood and also reducing the damage permanently. The floods occur in other states too but severity compare to Assam, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh is lesser. The disastrous situation certainly warrants the expert services of disaster managers of National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and their state counterparts, but much more is the need of hour. The services offered by these agency are limited to relief measures only and other agencies should also be involved. The 71 th report of Standing Committee on Finance (2018-19) described the cataclysmic flood and assessed that over 40 million hectares land amounting to a bout 12%

Mines and Mineral (Development & Regulation) Amendment Act,2015 : 10A2(b) cases and Mineral block Auction

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                                                                                                                                            Rajesh Deoliya [rajeshdeoliya@gmail.com] [photo courtesy  Sh KL Verma, exploration geologist  and  consultant of international repute] Minerals are one of the key elements in the economy of any country. The vast area of Indian territory is blessed with variety of rock types which are potential host for many minerals to deserve pragmatic approach for scouting of minerals to add to the national mineral inventory and their possible extraction to generate employment opportunities, contribute in the national economy towards self-reliance and to bridge the gap in regional economic imbalances. The prospecting ( also called as exploration) work is basic tool for such exercise. The National Mineral Policy, 2008 clearly expressed that the private sector would be the main source of investment in reconnaissance and exploration and government agencies will e