The Indian government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi is reported to have passed an order to try to boost the country’s mining sector. India faces falling mineral output and rising imports, allegedly because of the government’s habit of granting mining licences without any competitive bids. The system has led to charges of illegal mining and a morass of legal actions. The government will now, it is reported, hold auctions for licences to extract minerals such as iron and bauxite. The auction system is currently used only for coal licences. The emergency measure will have to be approved by parliament.
