NEW DELHI (TIP): The bill on mines and minerals, paving the way for auction of blocks for prospecting, was passed by the Rajya Sabha on March 20, even as opposition parties, notably the Congress, wanted it to be referred again to the relevant select committee.The bill was pressed for voting — 117 members were in favour and 69 against it.Once it gets presidential consent, the new legislation will replace the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Ordinance of 2015), promulgated on Jan 12. The bill has already been approved by the Lok Sabha.

The taking up of the bill had to be deferred on Thursday as the opposition said that mineral-bearing states had not been consulted in preparation of the bill and wanted the select committee, which had sent it back without changes on March 18, to take a re-look.