Since 1991...private companies have begun to play an important role in the mining sector...[I]n April 2008, the...government released the new National Mineral Policy...Not only does the policy not address the social and environmental consequences of mining, it actually has the potential to aggravate the situation in terms of displacement, deforestation, environmental degradation, and water scarcity…The policy...proposes to substantially increase the scale of privatisation...[and] mak[es] environmental regulations voluntary... [T]he policy prescribes no deterrents for non-compliance...[The]...NMP...pays scant attention to the...environment and the livelihood of local people...[and]...rehabilitation and resettlement of the large numbers of adivasis who will be displaced from their lands. [refers to De Beers, Posco, Rio Tinto, Vedanta Resources]