2. • On July 24, 1991, Government of India announced its new
industrial policy with an aim to correct the distortion and
weakness of the Industrial Structure of the country that had
developed in 4 decades; raise industrial efficiency to the
international level; and accelerate industrial growth
3. • The number of industries reserved for public sector was
reduced from 17 (as per 1956 policy) to only 8 industries viz.
Arms and Ammunition, Atomic Energy, Coal, Mineral
Oil, Mining of Iron Ore, Manganese Ore, Gold, Silver, Mining of
Copper, Lead, Zinc, Atomic Minerals and Railways.
4. • Currently only two categories from the above viz. atomic
energy and Railways are reserved for public sector. Further,
Atomic minerals come within the purview of Atomic Energy Act.
Government of India does not grant license to private sector for
mining of atomic minerals and mineral sand also. However, for
mining of mineral present in beach sand deposits, the state
governments can grant license to private parties subject to
prior consent of the Department of Atomic Energy. There have
been proposals to open the atomic energy sector for private
sector, but so far it has not been done.
