The Centre has amended the Mineral Concession Rules (MCR) and have vested powers with the State governments to cancel licences if a person holding the lease is convicted of carrying out unauthorised mining. Amending the MCR, the Mines Ministry in a notification said that the state governments, prior to cancelling the licence, should give opportunity to the applicant to explain his stance.

Amending another provision in the MCR, the Ministry in its notification said the state government may also refuse to renew mining lease in the event of an applicant for renewal of mining lease is convicted of illegal mining.

The Centre has resorted to a multi-pronged strategy including setting up of an Inquiry Commission and asking states to make action plans to curb illegal mining.