Section 12(3) in The Offshore Areas Mineral (Development And Regulation) Act, 2002
(3)All applications for the grant of exploration licence received within the prescribed time and which satisfy the conditions specified in sub-section (1) shall be considered together and while making a selection for the grant of exploration licence, the administering authority shall follow the procedure given below, namely:—(a)where only one application is received in respect of an area, the administering authority may grant the exploration licence to the applicant;(b)where two or more applications are received in respect of the same area or substantially the same area, the order of preference shall be as follows, namely:—(I)preference shall be given to an applicant who requires the mineral for use in an industry either already owned by the applicant or who has taken sufficient steps to set-up such industry:Provided that where there are more than one application of such category, the administering authority may grant licence based on a comparative evaluation of the—(i)nature, quality and experience of the technical personnel employed by the applicant;(ii)financial resources of the applicant;(iii)nature and quantum of the exploration work proposed by the applicant; and(iv)nature, quality and quantum of data submitted along with the programme of exploration;(II)in case of other applicants, not covered under sub-clause (I), the administering authority may grant licence based on a comparative evaluation of matters stated in items (i) to (iv) of the proviso to sub-clause (I).
