HC asks State for list of mining firms

 
Hearing a petition by Kamala Bai,a resident of Bangalore, the division bench headed by Justice V Gopala Gowda has directed the director of mines to file an affidavit in this regard. The bench has also  sought  reasons for not disposing the applications within January 11.
The petitioner’s counsel argued that under rule 24 A (6) of the Mineral Concessions Rules, the lessee has the power to get deemed extension of mining lease until the disposal of his application for renewal of licence.

The petitioner, who had obtained a mining lease in Chikkanayakanahalli taluk in Tumkur district, had challenged the deputy director of mines cancelling the deemed extension of licence on November 24, 2009.

The division bench has refused to accept the arguments of the petitioner regarding deemed extension of licence under Mineral Concessions Rule, while considering the larger interest of the public.