After section 3 of the principal Act, the following section shall be inserted, namely:—

‘3A. Mining operation by company and others.—

(1)

Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act, any person being—

(a) a Government company or corporation or a joint venture company formed by such company or corporation or between the Central Government or the State Government, as the case may be, or any other company incorporated in India; or

(b) a company or a joint venture company formed by two or more companies,

(2)

The Central Government may, with a view to rationalise such coal mines so as to ensure the coordinated and scientific development and utilisation of coal resources consistent with the growing requirements of the country, from time to time, prescribe—

(i) the coal mines or coal bearing areas and their location;

(ii) the minimum size of the coal mine or coal bearing areas;

(iii) such other conditions,