Rajya Sabha Passes Mines and Minerals Amendment Bill Amid an Opposition Walkout

The Rajya Sabha on August 19 passed the Mines and Minerals Development and Regulation Amendment Bill, 2025, amid an Opposition walkout. 

Earlier cleared by the Lok Sabha, the Bill allows mining leaseholders to add critical minerals like lithium, cobalt, and nickel without paying extra royalty. It empowers the Centre to promote mineral trading through exchanges and renames the National Mineral Exploration Trust as the National Mineral Exploration and Development Trust.

Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy said the ₹34,000-crore National Critical Mineral Mission will boost production of 24 identified minerals. 

The Opposition demanded deeper scrutiny, terming the Bill far-reaching.