The Hindu : New Delhi News : Supreme Court asks panel to check if mining is going on in Bellary region

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Saturday, Nov 20, 2010
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Supreme Court asks panel to check if mining is going on in Bellary region

J. Venkatesan

Six firms told to file objections before the CEC by November 29
Notice to Centre, two States on illegal mining

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Friday asked the Central Empowered Committee (CEC) to examine whether mining was going on in the forest area of Bellary region, comprising the border areas of Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka.

A three-Judge Bench comprising Chief Justice S.H. Kapadia, Justice Aftab Alam and Justice K.S. Radhakrishnan gave this direction to the committee after it was pointed out that mining was being carried out by the mining companies, including the three Obulapuram mines of the Reddy brothers.

The Bench asked the six companies who are before the court to file objections/comments before the CEC by November 29. The CEC was asked to complete the personal hearing by December 16 and submit its report in respect of these six companies by January 5, 2011.

The Bench rejected the plea of Obulapuram Mines that mining was being carried on as per the Supreme Court directions and that the Survey of India had conducted a survey of the six mines. The Bench pointed out that the survey pertained to the boundaries and the present survey by the CEC would indicate whether mining was being carried on in the forest area.

The CJI made it clear that even if mining was done legally after obtaining valid permission, the licence could be cancelled if it was found that mining was being done in the eco-sensitive zone of the forest area. The CJI said initially the CEC would undertake the work in respect of the six mines and thereafter other mines would also be covered. When senior counsel Soli Sorabjee and Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for OMC wanted permission for transporting the iron ore mined, the court said the plea would be considered at a later stage.

Notice issued

The Bench also issued notice to the Centre, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka on a petition filed by Samaj Parivartana Samudaya of Dharwad highlighting the illegal mining in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh with the alleged connivance of politicians.

The petitioner pointed out that Karnataka had issued notifications de-reserving forest areas and as a result there had been illegal and uncontrolled mining in the area. It was pointed out that over 10 hectares of forest land had completely vanished from the area which had now become the ground for illegal mining.

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