Mining permit: Govt acting on orders of CS

Over 6 lakh metric tonnes of iron ore is lying idle at MSPLs yard

MSPL, a mining company, has filed a petition seeking directions to Deputy Commissioner of Bellary for issuing mining dispatch permit as directed by the Department of Mines and Geology.

The petitioner had stated that over six lakh metric tonnes of iron ore is lying idle at its yard for want of permit. The company has paid nearly Rs 99 lakh as royalty to the government and permit has not been granted despite repeated applications.

It had contended that the State had mistaken the Supreme Court order, which says that the permission be denied for mining in disputed sites. The petition said that any delay in granting permission would affect the livelihood of employees deployed at the site. The court had sought details on the delay caused in giving permission. The division bench comprising Chief Justice P D Dinakaran and Justice Anand Byra Reddy, expressed surprise as to how the Chief Secretary can make such an order. The matter has been adjourned.

Kolar SP sees plot

K P Puttaswamy, Superintendent of Police, Kolar, who was arrested after being trapped by the Lokayukta, has alleged that the entire episode was aimed at preventing his promotion, which is due shortly.

In his submission before the High Court, Puttaswamy said he had moved the bail application after the District Sessions Court rejected his application. Puttaswamy was trapped by the Lokayukta, when he was accepting a bribe of Rs 10,000 from a constable P P Prakash, whose Voluntary Retirement Service (VRS) application was converted into compulsory retirement. Earlier, the constable had paid him Rs 25,000 for  recommending him for VRS.

A Lokayukta raid followed the trap, in which cash and gold were seized. The matter reached the High Court after Puttaswamy’s bail plea was rejected by the Kolar Sessions Court. Following his submission, the Lokayukata has sought time to file objections.

Notice to Excise dept

The High Court has ordered notice to the State Excise Department in connection with its decision to permit Mysore Sales International Limited (MSIL) to open wine shops across the State.

The petitioners, Devraj and others, residents of Hoskote, had moved the High Court challenging the July 3 order to open 463 wine shops, stating that the regulation is against the Constitution as per Article 47 of Constitution of India, which says the Government should discourage the sale of liquor.

The petitioners further submitted that the Government, way back in 2003, has taken a decision in the Cabinet not to venture into the liquor trade and sought to quash the order.

Justice Nagmohan Das, who heard the matter, has ordered notice to additional Chief Secretary, Secretary Excise, Commissioner Excise and MSIL and has directed to file objections within two weeks.