SC extends its order prohibiting mining by OMC in Anantapur

However, the apex court referred back the matter to the Andhra Pradesh High Court asking it to take a decision expeditiously.

The order to this effect was passed by a bench headed by Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan after OMC and Andhra Pradesh government consented to the suggestion made by the bench in this regard.

The apex court said that the Andhra Pradesh government will file its response within a week before the High Court.

It also asked the parties to the dispute to appear before the High Court, which has posted the matter for hearing on January 18.

The High Court had stayed the government order of the Andhra Pradesh government, restraining the company from carrying out mining activities in the area on the basis of the report of the apex court-appointed Central Empowered Committee (CEC).

Andhra Pradesh government had challenged the High Court order in the Supreme Court.
The apex court also gave opportunity to the CEC to appear before the High Court.
The CEC was constituted by the Supreme Court to inquire into the matter based on a writ petition filed by Tapal Ganesh of Bellary against the OMC over alleged illegal mining activity in violation of the Forest Conservation Act.