If they indeed listen to Orissa’s concerns, take them into account and get a consent on the new mining policy that would be really wonderful and a break from the past. If the UPA government continues like this (need to approve the more IIT and IIM plan and make railways more equitable) then it will be one of the most equitable government of India ever. The following excerpts from a Reuters report really gives hope.

India’s new mining policy is likely to approved by the cabinet within the next two months, the junior mines minister said on Thursday.

T. Subbirami Reddy said the head of a ministerial panel set up to examine the policy would meet the chief ministers of mineral-rich Jharkhand and Orissa to resolve differences before sending the policy for cabinet approval.

“Once they give their consent, we will take it to the cabinet. It will take between one to two months,” Reddy said.

The new policy is expected to help foreign and domestic firms invest in the exploration and mining of gold, diamonds and metals like copper and zinc.