By NNN-PTI
New Delhi : Warning that their rights should not be ‘usurped’ by the Centre, five mineral rich states today charged that the New Mineral Policy favoured multi-nationals and sought Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s intervention to safeguard their interests.
“The states’ right to select the best applicant (for mining rights) should not be compromised in the name of seamless transition or security of tenure and should not be usurped by the Central government under any pretext,” CMs said in a memorandum to Singh.
They demanded that a task force be constituted to delve into issues raised by them before the MMDR Act was amended.
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje, Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh and Jharkhand Water Resources Minister K K Singh who represented chief Minister Madhu Koda were signatory to the memorandum after a meeting of the CMs here.
Jharkhand is the only UPA ruled state while the other four are ruled by the BJP and its allies.
“The Government of India is anxious to promote free export of minerals in order to satisfy multinationals mining companies…If the policy is accepted as it is, it may result in a situation where a few MNC mining companies acquiring control over the vast mineral resources…,” the memorandum said.
Drawing holes in the policy, the CMs said that the task force should look into the suggestions given by the states before any amendment in the existing Minerals and Metals Development and Regulation Act is pursued.