Let mining industries function: HC

Hearing a Public Interest Litigation by Satyamurthy, who had sought directions to prevent mining by those who do not possess a steel industry, the division bench headed by Chief Justice P D Dinakaran issued five directions to prevent the delay in clearing the approval by various ministries.

In the five point directions, the bench headed by Chief Justice Dinakaran observed, “Delays will not only cause hardships to the miners, who invest huge amount, it not only affects applications, but also economic development of a nation. Therefore it is appropriate for the State and Centre to evolve a single window system within their respective jurisdiction to notify, receive, scrutinise, approve and to take appropriate decision in granting leases without delay.”

The bench further said, “State must adhere to the time schedule prescribed under rule 36 (A) of Mineral Concession Rules in disposing the applications for grant of lease and matters specified under Section 11 (3) of MMDR Act.”

Stressing the need to grant lease to tindustries with steel units, the bench said that the Central government should dispose of mining lease applications as per rules, within reasonable time, for steel industries not exceeding more than six months.

The bench said that the Karnataka has iron ore deposits worth 9.03 billion tonnes, which is 38.28 percent of the total ore in the Country, but the steel making capacity is only 11.8 percent.

The bench said that the steel industries can generate employment if granted lease.