Mining sector: Civil society bodies "support" Modi's Make in India if it's not for export, locals are trained in new skills

By A Representative
In what may be interpreted as a controversial move, at least two prominent civil rights organisations, Mines, Minerals and People (MM&P) and Goa Foundation, even as talking of mining rights of the local people, especially tribals, have said that they are ready to support Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Make in India thrust, provided that locals are "involved" in a reasonable way.
In a representation on the draft National Mineral Policy (NMP) to Veena Kumari Dermal, director, Ministry of Mines, Government of India, Rebbapragada Ravi, chairperson, and Ashok Shrimali, secretary general, MM&P, have called the draft "a step towards greater clarity in public policy regarding rights of the communities affected by mining."
Characterising it as "a small step but in the right direction", MM&P insisted, "Advancing Make in India in mineral sector should ensure that large sections of population who are mostly adversely affected by mining is not left behind", adding, "Make in India initiatives should encourage and make sure that the affected population participates in it as a livelihood source."
In order to operationalize this, MM&P said, "The local community should be provided adequate skills in order to operate the machinery being used in mining and prospecting", adding, "The local community which will be affected should be trained and skilled to be part of the human resource."
The Goa Foundation, in its representation through Dr Claude Alvares, taking a somewhat similar view, said, "NMP should not be subordinated to the demands of those who have developed a vested interest in export of minerals. The Make in India policy should effectively rule out such kinds of exports."
It regrets, however, "Little thought appears to be given to how this new emphasis on Make in India reconciles with the continuing practice of exporting such minerals, often at depressed or ridiculous prices, despite the real fear of their impending scarcity." Refusing to object to allowing private sector entry into exploration, the Goa Foundation wants that it's activities "should be monitored by the state", and only "licensed private entity" should be allowed to take up "exploration activity." This would make mining "industry friendly", and have a positive impact on "environment and social lives of the affected population."
Ironically, MM&P simultaneously said, "There is a need for mentioning the Samata Judgment which prohibits the buying of tribal land by a non-tribal... The general rules of 'ease of doing business' does not apply to the Vth Schedule areas. NMP should clearly state the limitations of doing business in Vth Scheduled areas."
The Goa Foundation, on its part, said, Government of India, while formulating the new NMP should not to "miss this historic opportunity to put mining on a sustainable footing, which would be of utmost importance to the national economy, ensuring it is intergenerational equity compliant”, adding, it is happy to note that the new draft talks of "natural resources, including minerals, are a shared inheritance."
"This acknowledges and reiterates the constitutional position that natural resources are owned by the people of the state", and the state is "merely a trustee of these natural resources for the people and also future generations (Public Trust Doctrine). State is not the true or real owner", it asserted.

Comments

MG-NREGA: A global model still waiting to be fully implemented

By Bharat Dogra When the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MG-NREGA) was introduced in India nearly two decades ago, it drew worldwide attention. The reason was evident. At a time when states across much of the world were retreating from responsibility for livelihoods and welfare, the world’s second most populous country—with nearly two-thirds of its people living in rural or semi-rural areas—committed itself to guaranteeing 100 days of employment a year to its rural population.

A comrade in culture and controversy: Yao Wenyuan’s revolutionary legacy

By Harsh Thakor* This year marks two important anniversaries in Chinese revolutionary history—the 20th death anniversary of Yao Wenyuan, and the 50th anniversary of his seminal essay "On the Social Basis of the Lin Biao Anti-Party Clique". These milestones invite reflection on the man whose pen ignited the first sparks of the Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution and whose sharp ideological interventions left an indelible imprint on the political and cultural landscape of socialist China.

Concerns raised over move to rename MGNREGA, critics call it politically motivated

By A Representative Concerns have been raised over the Union government’s reported move to rename the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), with critics describing it as a politically motivated step rather than an administrative reform. They argue that the proposed change undermines the legacy of Mahatma Gandhi and seeks to appropriate credit for a programme whose relevance has been repeatedly demonstrated, particularly during times of crisis.

Swami Vivekananda's views on caste and sexuality were 'painfully' regressive

By Bhaskar Sur* Swami Vivekananda now belongs more to the modern Hindu mythology than reality. It makes a daunting job to discover the real human being who knew unemployment, humiliation of losing a teaching job for 'incompetence', longed in vain for the bliss of a happy conjugal life only to suffer the consequent frustration.

Rollback of right to work? VB–GRAM G Bill 'dilutes' statutory employment guarantee

By A Representative The Right to Food Campaign has strongly condemned the passage of the Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB–GRAM G) Bill, 2025, describing it as a major rollback of workers’ rights and a fundamental dilution of the statutory Right to Work guaranteed under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). In a statement, the Campaign termed the repeal of MGNREGA a “dark day for workers’ rights” and accused the government of converting a legally enforceable, demand-based employment guarantee into a centralised, discretionary welfare scheme.

From jobless to ‘job-loss’ growth: Experts critique gig economy and fintech risks

By A Representative Leading economists and social activists gathered in the capital on Friday to launch the third edition of the State of Finance in India Report 2024-25 , issuing a stark warning that the rapid digitalization of the Indian economy is eroding welfare systems and entrenching "digital dystopia."

School job scam and the future of university degree holders in West Bengal

By Harasankar Adhikari The school recruitment controversy in West Bengal has emerged as one of the most serious governance challenges in recent years, raising concerns about transparency, institutional accountability, and the broader impact on society. Allegations that school jobs were obtained through irregular means have led to prolonged legal scrutiny, involving both the Calcutta High Court and the Supreme Court of India. In one instance, a panel for high school teacher recruitment was ultimately cancelled after several years of service, following extended judicial proceedings and debate.

India’s Halal economy 'faces an uncertain future' under the new food Bill

By Syed Ali Mujtaba* The proposed Food Safety and Standards (Amendment) Bill, 2025 marks a decisive shift in India’s food regulation landscape by seeking to place Halal certification exclusively under government control while criminalising all private Halal certification bodies. Although the Bill claims to promote “transparency” and “standardisation,” its structure and implications raise serious concerns about religious freedom, economic marginalisation, and the systematic dismantling of a long-established, Muslim-led Halal ecosystem in India.

Women’s rights alliance seeks NCW action against Nitish Kumar over public veil incident

By A Representative An alliance of women’s rights activists has urged the National Commission for Women (NCW) to initiate legal action against Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar over an incident at a public function in Patna that they allege amounted to a grave violation of a Muslim woman’s dignity and constitutional rights. In a detailed complaint dated December 18, the All India Feminist Alliance (ALIFA), part of the National Alliance of People’s Movements (NAPM), sought the NCW’s immediate intervention following an episode on December 15 during the distribution of appointment letters to newly recruited AYUSH doctors in Patna.

Search This Blog