Major push for reforms: Coal, Mines Bills passed in Rajya Sabha

An amendment moved by the CPM’s P. Rajeeve was defeated, with parties like Trinamul Congress, NCP, SP, BSP, BJD, AIADMK, DMK and JMM, besides allies like the Shiv Sena and the Shiromani Akali Dal supporting the government. Since the Rajya Sabha had made amendments to the bill passed by the Lok Sabha, it had to be sent back to the Lower House for fresh approval.

Earlier, deputy chairman P.J. Kurien had ruled that Mr Rajeeve’s motion on the Mines and Mineral Bill was in order and a bill transmitted from the Lok Sabha and referred to the select committee of the Rajya Sabha could again be referred to the panel.

Both Bills were referred to separate select committees last week after the Opposition parties insisted on proper scrutiny and changes in the proposed legislation. The committees gave their report on Wednesday.

After the passage of the bills, the government reacted by saying that the politics of “obstructionism” led by the Congress had failed. However, the Congress, which was nearly isolated in its opposition to the bills, said that the Opposition parties were “compromised”, but expressed confidence that their unity on the Land Bill remained.

The Coal Bill was approved by the Rajya Sabha after a number of amendments moved by the Congress and the Left parties were defeated. The bill was passed with 107 members voting in favour and 62 against in the Upper House, with the BJP in a minority in the 245-member chamber. The Lok Sabha had already passed the bill on March 4.

Earlier, participating in the debate on the Coal Bill, the Opposition members, including those from the BJD, SP, BSP, TMC, AIADMK and JMM, supported the bill but wanted the government to address key issues like labour and infringement of states’ rights, among others. The BJD’s Anubhav Mohanty rejected the charge that his party was supporting the bill under government pressure. He said he was backing it “under the pressure of providing welfare to tribals”.

The Congress’ Digvijay Singh, who initiated the debate on the Coal Bill, contended that the bill was “anti-labour” and would “snatch the rights of states” as the Centre would decide where to establish thermal power plants and steel plants.

The JD(U)’s Sharad Yadav opposed the law, saying the end users’ option in the bill will “destroy” Coal India Ltd. He said the bill may not end irregularities in the coal sector despite provisions. The CPI(M)’s Tapan Kumar Sen expressed concern that the interests of coal workers had not been addressed in the bill. The DMK also voted against the Coal Bill.

The legislation replaces an ordinance issued that was issued on October 21 last year and re-promulgated on December 26 after the Supreme Court cancelled the allocation of 204 coal blocks, terming them as fatally flawed. The bill’s passage provides a legal framework for the auction of coal blocks.

Replying to a short debate on the Coal Bill when it was moved, minister of state for coal Piyush Goyal tried to allay the apprehensions raised by many members that the bill will infringe upon the rights of states. The minister made it clear “foreign companies will not be allowed. Only Indian companies will be there...”

Accepting a member’s plea to improve health facilities for people affected by pollution in coal-bearing states, he said: “In all major coal states, one cancer hospital will be set up in every state.”

The minister said the legislation will ensure transparency in coal block auctions and cheap availability to end users, and that he was committed to protecting the interests of workers. The suggestions of the select committee which had examined the bill “will be respected while framing the rules”, he said.

The Coal Bill’s objectives include providing for the allocation of coal mines and vesting of the right, title and interest in and over the land and mine infrastructure to successful bidders and allottees with a view to ensuring continuity in coal mining operations and coal production.

The Mines and Mineral Bill aims to remove discretion in the grant of mineral concessions and will have auctions as the only method of allotment. It also provides for stringent punishment for illegal mining.

Reacting to the passage of the bills, finance minister Arun Jaitley said: “It is an important day for Indian democracy, Parliament and the Indian economy as the politics of obstructionism led by the Congress has failed today.”

Parliamentary affairs minister M. Venkaiah Naidu said, “These two (bills) will prove to be landmarks in the evolution of rule-based and transparent governance, which is the need of the hour as the country aspires for quick economic development with the framework of a stable policy framework.”