The Government has introduced the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Bill, 2011 in the Lok Sabha on 12.12.2011 which was referred to the Standing Committee on Coal and Steel on 5.1.2012. The Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Bill, 2011 provides for establishment of the National Mining Regulatory Authority for, inter-alia, conducting investigation and to launch prosecution in cases of illegal mining of major minerals on large scale or on organised basis or takes place inter-state.
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