Government to introduce amendment bill to auction offshore minerals

23 May 2023 CW Team

The government is expected to introduce an amendment bill in the next Parliament session to allow for the auction of minerals mined offshore, sources have said.

The original Offshore Areas Mineral (Development and Regulation) Act, which was enacted in 2002, does not provide for auctions of minerals. The current policy is to auction minerals, so the Act needs to be amended.

The objective of the move is to use the national wealth in the sea for the benefit of the people of the country. The amendments will help in realising the natural wealth which lies with the country along its coast.

The consultations to amend the Act have been completed and a bill is likely to be introduced in the forthcoming Monsoon session of Parliament. The government is confident that the amendments will help to clear the legal hurdles and pave the way for the auction of offshore minerals.

The auction of offshore minerals is expected to attract investment and boost the economy. It will also help to meet the growing demand for minerals in the country.

Also read
India's project surge signals massive investment growth
Inauguration of 210 affordable homes in Kamalanagar

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..

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..

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 ..