THE OFFSHORE AREAS MINERAL (DEVELOPMENT AND REGULATION) ACT, 2002

ACT NO. 17 OF 2003 · Enacted [30th January, 2003.] · 38 sections

PRELIMINARY

Section 1.Short title and commencement.

Section 2.Declaration as to expediency of Union control.

Section 3.Application.

Section 4.Definitions.

GENERAL PROVISIONS FOR ACQUISITION OF OPERATING RIGHTS IN THE OFFSHORE AREAS

Section 5.Reconnaissance, exploration or production to be under permit, licence or lease.

Section 6.Grant of operating right.

Section 7.Termination of operating right.

Section 8.Reservation of areas.

Section 9.Power of close areas.

Section 10.Availability of areas for grant of permit, licence or lease.

Section 11.Grant of reconnaissance permit.

Section 12.Grant of exploration licence.

Section 13.Grant of production lease.

Section 14.Period of commencement of operating rights.

Section 15.Power of Central Government to authorise survey, research and scientific investigations in areas covered under operating rights.

Section 16.Royalty.

Section 17.Fixed rent.

Section 18.Contribution towards International Seabed Authority.

Section 19.Safety of persons and property.

Section 20.Prevention and control of pollution and protection of marine environment.

Section 21.Power of Central Government and administering authority to issue directions.

POWER OF ENTRY, INSPECTION, SEARCH AND SEIZURE

Section 22.Power of entry, inspection, search and seizure.

OFFENCES

Section 23.Offences.

Section 24.Offences by companies.

Section 25.Place of trial.

Section 26.Previous sanction of Central Government for prosecution.

Section 27.Offences triable by Court of Session.

CIVIL LIABILITY AND ADJUDICATION

Section 28.Civil liability and adjudication.

MISCELLANEOUS

Section 29.Extension of enactments to offshore areas.

Section 30.Compounding of offences.

Section 31.Recovery of certain sums as arrears of land revenue.

Section 32.Delegation of powers.

Section 33.Protection of action taken in good faith.

Section 34.Appeals.

Section 35.Power to make rules.

Section 36.Relaxation in specific cases.

Section 37.Persons to be public servants.

Section 38.Removal of difficulties.