Workshops in states on mines Ordinance soon

New Delhi: The Centre will hold orientation sessions for stakeholders from next week in different states like Odisha, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana to explain the provisions of MMDR Ordinance.

President Pranab Mukherjee gave his assent to the Ordinance, paving the way for auctioning of mines containing minerals such as iron ore and bauxite.

"Ministry of Mines will be holding a day-long conference/ worshop/orientation session in all the State capitals with the officers dealing with the mining issues and stakeholders," an official source said.

The sessions will start from next week, and completed by February 8, he said, adding that this idea was floated by Steel and Mines Narendra Singh Tomar at a meeting held recently which was welcomed by all the state ministers.

The Mines Secretary wrote to the Chief Secretaries of the states like Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Kerala, Rajasthan, Odisha, Telengana on holding a day-long conference in various states.

The conferences will involve state officials in the first half of the day, followed by participation from various stakeholders (industry associations, miners and users of minerals), the source said.