THE Lok Sabha on Friday passed the Mines and Mineral Amendment Bill which seeks to open up mining of deep-seated and critical minerals for the private sector. The Lok Sabha on Friday passed the National Nursing and Midwifery Commission Bill, 2023 and the National Dental Commission Bill, 2023, amid sloganeering from the Opposition benches. The Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2023, also empowers the Central Government to exclusively auction mining lease and composite licence for certain critical minerals. Deep-seated minerals include gold, silver, copper, zinc, lead, nickel, cobalt, platinum group of minerals, diamonds, etc, which are difficult and expensive to explore and mine as compared to surfacial or bulk minerals.

 

“Thus share of deep-seated minerals in total mineral production is meagre at present. The country is mostly dependent on imports of these minerals. The proposed exploration licence would facilitate, encourage and incentivize private sector participation in all spheres of mineral exploration for critical and deep-seated minerals,” according to the statement of objects and reasons of the Bill. Union Minister for Coal and Mines Pralhad Joshi piloted the bill in the Lok Sabha amid continuous slogan shouting by opposition members over the Manipur issue.

 

The National Nursing Midwifery Commission Bill provides for the constitution of the National Nursing and Midwifery Commission for development and regulation of all aspects relating to nursing and midwifery education, institution and profession, and a Nursing and Midwifery Advisory Council to advise and make recommendations to the National Commission. As per the Act, it also involves, the constitution of three Autonomous Boards, namely, the Nursing and Midwifery Undergraduate and Postgraduate Education Board, the Nursing and Midwifery Assessment and Rating Board, and the Nursing and Midwifery Ethics and Registration Board. Meanwhile, the National Dental Commission Bill, 2023, seeks to regulate the profession of dentistry, to provide quality and affordable dental education.