September 24, 2026 03:23 am (IST)
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Mines and Minerals Bill passed in RS as Opposition stands divided
New Delhi, Mar 20(IBNS) Extracting support from majority of the opposition the Narendra Modi government on Friday got the Mines and Minerals Bill passed in the Rajya Sabha taking another step towards the proposed economic reforms.
The bill seeks to introduce a system of auction for mines that supply minerals like iron ore and bauxite.
Like the land bill and coal bill, the Mines bill ratifies an ordinance or temporary executive order that will lapse on April 5.
Of the total 188 members present in the Upper House, 117 voted in favour of the bill while 69 voted against and two abstained.
Before passing the bill the House voted down a proposal by the Left to send it to a Parliamentary committee again for review.
The government's success in getting adequate support to the bill is significant since the ruling coalition is in the minority in Rajya Sabha.
The Trinamool Congress, Samajwadi Party, Bahujan Samaj Party and Nationalist Congress Party voted in favour of the bill. All these parties had joined the opposition march to the Rashtrapati Bhavan on Tuesday to protest against the amendment to the land acquisition bill.
The Janata Dal (United) walked out while the Congress and the Left voted against the bill.
Like the land bill and coal bill, the Mines bill ratifies an ordinance or temporary executive order that will lapse on April 5.
Of the total 188 members present in the Upper House, 117 voted in favour of the bill while 69 voted against and two abstained.
Before passing the bill the House voted down a proposal by the Left to send it to a Parliamentary committee again for review.
The government's success in getting adequate support to the bill is significant since the ruling coalition is in the minority in Rajya Sabha.
The Trinamool Congress, Samajwadi Party, Bahujan Samaj Party and Nationalist Congress Party voted in favour of the bill. All these parties had joined the opposition march to the Rashtrapati Bhavan on Tuesday to protest against the amendment to the land acquisition bill.
The Janata Dal (United) walked out while the Congress and the Left voted against the bill.
It will now be taken up by the Lok Sabha, where the BJP-led NDA government enjoys an overwhelming majority.
The division in the opposition appears to be the result of the revenue gains for state government once auctioning for minerals starts.
The division in the opposition appears to be the result of the revenue gains for state government once auctioning for minerals starts.
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