Senior BJP leader and Raipur MP Brijmohan Agrawal hailed the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2025, presented in the Lok Sabha’s monsoon session, as historic and a milestone for mineral-rich states across India, including Chhattisgarh. The bill, spearheaded by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Minister of Mines G. Kishan Reddy, is designed to fortify India’s strategic mineral security, modernize the mining sector to align with global competition, and accelerate socio-economic development in areas affected by mining activities. Agrawal highlighted that previous laws faced practical challenges, including reliance on imports for critical minerals like lithium, cobalt, and rare earths, complex licensing processes, and a lack of transparency in mining-affected regions. The new bill aims to rectify these shortcomings. Key provisions include the establishment of the National Critical Minerals Mission (NCMM), granting India legal and financial authority for mineral acquisition and exploration both domestically and internationally. Digital platforms like mineral exchanges will facilitate transparent and efficient lease allocation and mineral trading. Furthermore, increased royalty rates on certain mineral categories will boost state revenues, and greater investment in education, health, and livelihoods, alongside social audits, will be channeled through the District Mineral Foundation (DMF).
