Lok Sabha passes bill to Tap India's Offshore Mineral Resources fairly

03 Aug 2023 CW Team

Mines Minister Prahlad Joshi, while introducing the Bill, expressed his belief that it would resolve the on-going challenges in the sector.

The primary objectives of the Bill, as stated in its statement of objects and reasons, are to empower the central government to formulate rules for conserving and systematically developing minerals in offshore regions. Additionally, it strives to protect the environment by preventing and controlling pollution resulting from exploration or production activities.

Minister Joshi emphasised the urgency of introducing an auction-based method for allocating operating rights in offshore areas, ensuring a transparent and non-discretionary process for their allocation.

Moreover, the Bill proposes the establishment of an Offshore Areas Mineral Trust, similar to the District Mineral Fund, which will maintain a non-lapsable fund in the public account of India. This fund's purpose is to ensure sufficient financial resources for exploration, mitigating adverse impacts of offshore mining, disaster relief, research, and initiatives for the welfare of people affected by exploration or production operations.

Under this legislation, production leases will be granted to the private sector exclusively through auction, while operating rights in mineral-bearing areas can be allocated to public sector entities through a nomination process without competitive bidding.

Furthermore, the Bill introduces a composite license, a two-stage operating right that allows exploration followed by production operations. These composite licenses will also be granted only through auction by competitive bidding for the private sector.

Regarding atomic minerals, the grant of exploration licenses or production leases will be restricted to public sector entities exclusively.

Lok Sabha approved a Bill aimed at facilitating the tapping of India's offshore mineral resources. This amendment bill, associated with the Offshore Areas Mineral (Development and Regulation) Act of 2002, aims to establish a transparent and equitable mechanism for allocating operating rights to those involved in offshore mineral extraction.Mines Minister Prahlad Joshi, while introducing the Bill, expressed his belief that it would resolve the on-going challenges in the sector.The primary objectives of the Bill, as stated in its statement of objects and reasons, are to empower the central government to formulate rules for conserving and systematically developing minerals in offshore regions. Additionally, it strives to protect the environment by preventing and controlling pollution resulting from exploration or production activities.Minister Joshi emphasised the urgency of introducing an auction-based method for allocating operating rights in offshore areas, ensuring a transparent and non-discretionary process for their allocation.Moreover, the Bill proposes the establishment of an Offshore Areas Mineral Trust, similar to the District Mineral Fund, which will maintain a non-lapsable fund in the public account of India. This fund's purpose is to ensure sufficient financial resources for exploration, mitigating adverse impacts of offshore mining, disaster relief, research, and initiatives for the welfare of people affected by exploration or production operations.Under this legislation, production leases will be granted to the private sector exclusively through auction, while operating rights in mineral-bearing areas can be allocated to public sector entities through a nomination process without competitive bidding.Furthermore, the Bill introduces a composite license, a two-stage operating right that allows exploration followed by production operations. These composite licenses will also be granted only through auction by competitive bidding for the private sector.Regarding atomic minerals, the grant of exploration licenses or production leases will be restricted to public sector entities exclusively.

Infrastructure Urban

13 Mar 2026

Implementation Status of Jal Jeevan Mission

Since August 2019 the Government has implemented Jal Jeevan Mission to provide assured potable water through household tap connections in rural India. At the start of the mission only 32.3 million (mn) rural households, representing 16.7 per cent, were reported to have tap water connections. States and union territories have reported that 125.8 mn additional rural households have since been provided with tap connections. As a result, of about 193.6 mn rural households roughly 158.2 mn, or 81.71 per cent, are reported to have tap water supply at home.\n\nThe State, district and village level st..

Infrastructure Urban

13 Mar 2026

Jal Jeevan Mission Reaches Eighty One Per Cent Rural Coverage

The Government reported substantial progress under the Jal Jeevan Mission, launched in August 2019 to provide tap water to every rural household. At launch only 32.3 million (mn) rural households had tap connections and states and Union territories reported provision of 125.8 mn additional households by March 2026. Consequently, out of about 193.6 mn rural households around 158.2 mn, or 81.71 per cent, are reported to have tap water at home. The Finance Minister announced extension of the mission until 2028 in the 2025-26 budget speech. The Swachh Bharat Mission Grameen, launched in October 20..

Infrastructure Urban

13 Mar 2026

Empowering Local Governance for Sustainable Rural Water Supply

The Ministry of Jal Shakti has aligned the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) with the 73rd Amendment to strengthen village level planning and community ownership of water supply. Gram Panchayats, village water and sanitation committees and Pani Samitis are to plan, implement, manage and maintain piped water systems, with gram sabha processes formalising handover and oversight. Implementation support agencies including non government organisations, community based organisations and self help groups have been empanelled to train local committees and promote women participation. Under JJM, the department ..