MMDR Ordinance: An Overhaul Of The Allocation Process

The mine allocation process has always been a subject matter of various controversies due to allegations of arbitrariness and lack of transparency. The mining rights are alleged to be often granted to handful of people having close associations with the establishment resulting in constant judicial scrutiny and consequential cancellation of some of the allocations. In view of this and pursuant to the recent judgment of the Supreme Court on cancellation of coal mines allocations, a major overhaul of the allocation process prescribed under the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 (MMDR Act) was long overdue to ensure mine allocation and monetization of minerals in the larger public interest.