Chief Ministers of Goa and Rajasthan — Manohar Parrikar and Vasundhara Raje — called on Union Minister of Steel, Mines and Labour and Employment Narendra Singh Tomar in New Delhi today. Chief Minister Parrikar in his meeting with Tomar at Shastri Bhawan held discussions pertaining to mining in the state. In place of the existing uniform export duty regime, Parrikar proposed differential export duties for iron ore, that is, higher rates for higher grades of ore and lower rates for corresponding grades, considering that the latter was not of significant use to domestic industry. Tomar acknowledged his views on the subject, and also solicited his opinion on the proposed amendments to MMDR Act 1957. During his Shram Shakti Bhawan meeting with Vasundhara Raje, discussions were held on several issues, including reforms in labour laws, skill development initiatives and development in mines and steel sectors. The meetings were attended by Secretaries of the Ministry of Steel, Mines and Labour and Employment — G Mohan Kumar, Gauri Kumar and Anup K Pujari — besides other senior officials of the ministries. (ANI)
