The Hindu : Front Page : Notification on mining in six districts stayed

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Saturday, Aug 18, 2007
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Notification on mining in six districts stayed

Staff Reporter

BANGALORE: The Karnataka High Court on Friday stayed until further orders a 2003 notification by the Government proposing to lease lands for mining in six districts.

The March 15, 2003 notification had proposed the grant of mining lease to private entrepreneurs in the districts of Bellary, Bangalore, Kolar, Mandya, Udupi and Gulbarga.

Justice D.V. Shylendra Kumar passed the order on a petition by the company, MSPL, challenging the grant of mining lease to another firm at Kumaraswamy Range in Sandur taluk, Bellary district. The company claimed that its proposal had been overlooked and the State had granted the lease to another company.

The judge had, last week, inspected the area where the mining lease was to be granted and posted the case for Friday. When the matter came up for hearing, the Government filed an affidavit detailing the mining activities in the area and the norms under which permission for mining was given.

He asked the Government what mechanism it had to ensure that mining companies did not encroach upon forestland not granted to them. “Has the Government studied the impact mining would have on forests?” he asked.

The judge then directed the Government to ensure that no mining activity was taken up in reserved areas as per the March 15, 2003 notification and adjourned further hearing on the case.

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