- Under the ‘Pilot-cum-Demonstration Project for Development of Grid Connected Solar PV Power Plants ‘in principle’ approval has so far been accorded to canal-top projects for generation of 34 MW solar power and canal-bank projects for 35 MW.
- The annual target for coal production for 2014-15 is 630.25 MT.
- The central government has issued the Coal Mines (Special Provisions) Ordinance, 2014 on 21 October 2014 followed by the Coal Mines (Special Provisions) Second Ordinance, 2014 on 26 December 2014. The main purpose of these ordinances is to provide for allocation of coal mines to steel, cement, and power utilities which are vital for development and, ensure smooth transfer of rights, title, and interests in the mines/blocks along with their land and other associated mining infrastructure to the new allottees to be selected through an auction or allotment (to government companies).
- The share of the mining and quarrying sector as a percentage of gross domestic product (GDP) has declined from 2.8% in 2010-11 to 2.1% in 2013-14 (Provisional Estimates).
- During this period, following in the wake of various judicial pronouncements, and the Justice Shah Commission Report, several mining leases were either suspended or closed down.
- To give a fillip to the mining sector, it has been decided to amend the provisions of the Mines and Minerals (Development & Regulation) Act , 1957 (MMDR).To this effect an ordinance has been promulgated on 12 January 2015.
- The period of mining lease has been increased to fifty years. After fifty years a lease will be auctioned afresh.
- In order to earmark funds for benefit of persons affected by mining, setting up of a District Mineral Foundation in every district affected by mining has been announced.
- The establishment of a National Mineral Exploration Trust has been proposed for the purpose of regional and detailed exploration. This will be funded by an additional levy not exceeding 2% of the royalty.
- Nine corridors have been identified for the introduction of semi-high speed trains at 160/200 kilometers per hour (kmph), viz.
- Delhi-Agra
- Delhi-Chandigarh
- Delhi-Kanpur
- Nagpur-Bilaspur
- Mysore-Bengaluru-Chennai
- (vi)Mumbai-Goa
- Mumbai-Ahmedabad
- Chennai-Hyderabad; and
- Nagpur-Secunderabad.
