Kerala concerned about proposed mines and minerals amendment

Kerala has raised concerns about certain amendments proposed in the law governing the development of mines and minerals in the country, as per reports. The central government has proposed a number of amendments to the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957, for bringing reforms in the minerals sector. Allowing the private sector to engage in beach sand mining in the environmentally significant and ecologically fragile coastal region of Kerala will lead to an environmental catastrophe, as per the memorandum submitted by the state to the centre.