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Debjit Mukherjee: The Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation Amendment Bill, 2023) was passed in Parliament amid increasing violence in Manipur. Although for now it is awaiting the President’s assent.
According to the bill, the Government of India will be empowered to invite private companies for mining and extraction of 26 precious minerals in the country, replacing the old 1957 Act. The production of valuable natural mineral resources like lithium, cobalt, graphite should be increased. Until now, only the state government could auction them. If production of 26 assets is boosted, electric vehicle, battery buyers are expected to benefit. And private companies will benefit. Mineral resources like beryllium, niobium, titanium, zirconium are also in the list.
Now the question is “Is this ethnic violence in northeast a conspiracy to prevent hindrance in auctioning of natural resources?”