JOIN USApex court seeks CEC report on resuming mining in Karnataka
The Supreme Court on Friday directed the Central Empowered Committee (CEC) to file a comprehensive report on the measures undertaken, including the schedules, to fulfill the statutory obligations for possible resumption of mining operation in ‘A’ category of iron ore mines in Karnataka.
A three-judge bench led by Justice Aftab Alam, however, reiterated that the court would not allow any extraction of iron ores until reclamation and rehabilitation plans were implemented on the ground on those 16 mines put in the ‘A’ category for having the least irregularities. The court also decided to take up on August 23 the CEC’s report submitted on April 27 highlighting the alleged illegal export of iron ore from Belekeri Port in Karwar by Adani Enterprises.In its order, the court told the CEC that its “self-contained” report should include if the statutory clearances were taken by those mines and as to how reclamation and rehabilitation works were to be started, besides the impact of mining on the people.
At the outset, the court said, “We are anxious that mining operation should resume but we are equally anxious that no mining should resume unless reclamation and rehabilitation is fully implemented on ground and not merely on paper.”Advocate Prashant Bhushan, appearing for NGO petitioner Samaj Parivartan Samudaya submitted that illegal encroachment in large forest tracts of land had taken place in all ‘A’, ‘B’ and ‘C’ category of mines. “Are you telling us that ‘A’ category of mines are also not free from vices,” the Bench asked.
To this, Bhushan replied that ‘A’ category of mines were also involved in illegal and criminal activity, reducing the agriculture produce to 25 per cent around the mining area.After this, the court directed senior advocate Shyam Divan, appearing for the CEC, to submit a report addressing the concern expressed by Bhushan.
Senior advocate C S Vaidyanathan, appearing for steel manufacturers, urged the apex court to allow mining operation as there was hardly any stock of iron ore. The NMDC was able to produce only to the extent of 0.6 million tonnes, he claimed. “You have to live with the shortfall as we have some more serious concerns at the moment,” the court said, refusing to relent.In its order, the court also directed the CEC to give reclamation and rehabilitation implementation report in all category of mines spread in Bellary, Tumkur and Chitradurga districts.
The court also directed the Karnataka government as well as other authorities to extend their full cooperation in implementing reclamation and rehabilitation plans prepared by the CEC.Meanwhile, in its latest report, the CEC said, “it does not agree with the contention the resumption of mining operation in ‘A’ category of mining leases may be permitted without insisting on having all statutory approvals.”