The Government has enunciated National Mineral Policy, 2008, which lays down policy decision for measures to streamline and simplify the procedures for grant of mineral concessions, develop a sustainable framework for optimum utilization of the country`s natural mineral resources for the industrial growth in the country and at the same time improving the life of people living in the mining areas which are generally located in the backward and tribal regions of the country.

“We have just ended a wasted session of Parliament. Both Houses were paralysed because the CAG has issued a report, which rightly or wrongly, makes certain allegations about the public functionaries. We have great respect for the institution of the CAG, but if we respect this institution, we must be willing to debate its findings in the Public Accounts Committee, or even on the floor of the Parliament, which we have always been willing.

The Minister of Steel, Shri Beni Prasad Verma has said that Steel is a de-regulated sector. As such no permission is required from the Ministry of Steel for installation of private steel plants in the country. Main private sector steel companies include TATA Steel, Essar Steel, Jindal Steel & Power, JSW Steel, Bhushan Power & Steel, Bhushan Steel etc.

The Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas Shri R.P.N. Singh has said, in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today, that the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC) is considering setting up a urea manufacturing unit in the state of Tripura for early monetization of the new gas discovery from Khubal field subject to techno-commercial viability. ONGC is in the process of identifying a reputed fertilizer domain company for strategic partnership through EoI (Expression of Interest) process.

Under the Passport Seva Project (PSP), the desired service levels for passport issuance is 3 working days in case of fresh passports  in No or Post-Police verification cases; 3 working days plus time taken for police verification in fresh passport cases requiring Pre-Police verification; and same or next day in Tatkaal cases subject to production of requisite documents.   

The Minister of State for Communications & Information Technology Sh Sachin Pilot informed the Lok Sabha yesterday that the gross deposit of Small Savings Scheme in Post Offices  declined in the financial year 2011-12 as compared to the year 2010-11.                                                   &nb

The Government today informed that under MGNREGA, during 2009-10 to 2011-12, a total of 757.09 crore persondays were generated and a total amount of Rs. 76126.76 crore was paid as wages to MGNREGA workers as reported by States and Union Territories. This was stated by the Minister of State for Rural Development Shri Pradeep Jain in written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha yesterday. He said, as reported by States/ Union Territories, the total expenditure incurred under MGNREGA was Rs.37, 905.23 crore in 2009-10, Rs. 39, 377.27 crore in 2010-11 and Rs.