NEW DELHI: Rashtriya Loktantrik Party (RLP) chief and Nagaur MP Hanuman Beniwal raised a significant demand in the Lok Sabha, urging the central government to allocate mining leases to farmers and rural residents. Addressing the issue during the Zero Hour in Parliament, Beniwal emphasized the need for policy reforms that would enable farmers to benefit directly from mineral resources available in their own lands and villages.
Beniwal stated that despite the presence of abundant mineral reserves in many rural regions, local villagers and farmers are often denied the right to mining leases. Instead, large companies and influential outsiders exploit these resources, leaving locals without employment or economic benefits. โWhy should people from outside be given the leases while farmers and rural youth continue to migrate for jobs?โ he asked.
The RLP leader highlighted that providing small-scale mining leases to villagers could serve as a sustainable livelihood model, especially in mineral-rich regions like Rajasthan. He added that such initiatives could reduce rural unemployment, curb migration to cities, and improve the financial condition of agrarian communities facing climate challenges and crop losses.
Beniwal also pointed out that a significant number of lease applications submitted by local farmers have remained pending for years, creating frustration and resentment at the grassroots level. He demanded a streamlined and transparent process that would prioritize local applicants over outsiders.
The MP urged the Ministry of Mines to revise existing rules to facilitate cooperative-based or individual mining leases for locals, especially in areas with minor minerals like sandstone, gravel, and limestone. He also recommended that state governments be directed to support such reforms proactively.
This is not the first time Hanuman Beniwal has spoken in favor of farmersโ rights in Parliament. Known for his strong rural advocacy, he has earlier pushed for MSP guarantees, compensation for crop damage, and better irrigation facilities in arid zones of Rajasthan.
Beniwalโs demand has garnered attention in political circles and among civil society groups, many of whom have long called for inclusive mining policies that empower rural communities rather than corporate entities.
If the Centre considers the proposal seriously, it could mark a shift toward localized resource management and decentralized economic empowerment in mineral-rich rural belts.
