New Delhi, Aug 12 — The Lok Sabha on Tuesday passed the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2025 by voice vote, despite loud protests from Opposition MPs over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the voter list in Bihar.
Moved by Union Mines Minister G. Kishan Reddy, the Bill seeks to reform India’s mining framework, enhance transparency, boost domestic mineral output, and secure critical mineral supply chains. It includes provisions for royalty benefits to states, incentives for deep-seated mineral exploration, and establishment of mineral and metal trading exchanges for real-time trading.
The Bill aligns with the National Critical Mineral Mission, aiming to reduce reliance on imports of strategic minerals like lithium and cobalt. It renames the National Mineral Exploration Trust as the National Mineral Exploration and Development Trust (NMEDT), with authority to invest in overseas critical mineral projects. The reforms also expand exploration licensing, introduce dispute resolution mechanisms, and encourage technology-driven operations.
During the debate, MPs from BJP, TDP, and YSRCP backed the Bill, citing its potential to generate jobs, enhance state revenues, and strengthen mineral security.
As the House reassembled at 4:30 p.m., Opposition MPs resumed sloganeering and paper-throwing in the Well, demanding a debate on the SIR process. Presiding officer Jagdambika Pal urged members to return to their seats, reminding them the Supreme Court had upheld the Election Commission’s position. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju condemned the behaviour as unprecedented.
Despite disruptions, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman introduced amendments to the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, which were referred to a Select Committee. The Monsoon Session, repeatedly disrupted, will resume on August 18.
