Section 9(7) in The Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2023
(7)Where—(a)the State Government has not successfully completed auction for the grant of exploration licence; or(b)after completion of auction, the exploration licence or letter of intent for grant of exploration licence has been terminated or lapsed for any reason whatsoever, the Central Government may require the State Government to conduct and complete the auction or re-auction process, as the case may be, within such period as may be fixed in consultation with the State Government, and in cases where such auction or re-auction process is not completed within such period, the Central Government may, after the expiry of the period so fixed, conduct auction for the grant of exploration licence for such area:Provided that upon successful completion of the auction, the Central Government shall intimate the details of the preferred bidder in the auction to the State Government and the State Government shall grant exploration licence for such area to such preferred bidder in such manner as may be prescribed by the Central Government.
