All that was discussed in the House through the day
Illegal mining of beach sand minerals
The Union government has prohibited the illegal mining and export of beach sand minerals like monazite, Union Minister of State for the Department of Atomic Energy, Jitendra Singh told the Lok Sabha on July 10, 2019.
All the mineral concessions with respect to beach sand minerals are regulated under the AMCR-2016, irrespective of the grade of monazite, according to the notification issued by the Union Ministry of Mines, dated February 20, 2019.
The notification further adds the mineral concession rights are vested with the government and government companies and that the participation of the private sector in the mining of the minerals is not allowed.
Alternative use of atomic energy
India has been utilising atomic energy in the development of agriculture, biology, industry and medicine, Jitendra Singh said in the Lok Sabha.
The Board of Radiation and Nuclear Sciences (BRNS), an advisory body of the Department of Atomic Energy, sponsors research and development projects for universities, academic institutions and national laboratories to promote scientific research in the areas of alternative uses of atomic energy such as applications of radioisotopes and radiation technology.
The BRNS was recently reorganised to meet the various sustainable goals set by the Union government and provide further thrust to alternative uses of atomic energy.
Schemes to eradicate poverty
The Centre has started various schemes to eradicate poverty in the country, Minister of State (Independent Charge) in the Ministry of Planning, Rao Inderjit Singh stated in the Lok Sabha.
The schemes include: Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana-Gramin, Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana, Shyama Prasad Mukherjee National Rurban Mission, Saansad Adarsh Gram Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana, Atal Pension Yojana and Pradhan Mantri Jan-Dhan Yojana.
Special Economic Zones
There were seven Special Economic Zones (SEZs) of the Union government and 12 of the states/private sector prior to the enactment of the SEZs Act, 2005, Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal told the Lok Sabha.
In addition, 416 state/private sector SEZs proposals for setting up of SEZs in the country have been accorded formal approval under the SEZs Act, 2005.
Presently, 351 SEZs are notified, out of which 232 SEZs are operational.
Illegal sand mining
State governments are custodians of the minerals located within their respective boundaries, according to the provisions of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) (MMDR) Act, 1957 and rules made under it. This was told to the Lok Sabha by the Union Minister of Mines, Coal and Parliamentary Affairs.
Section 23C of the MMDR Act, 1957, empowers the state governments to make rules for preventing illegal mining, transportation and storage of minerals and for the purposes connected therewith.
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