The Supreme Court on Friday said it would not allow resumption of mining activities of iron and ore in Karnataka unless there is a statutory compliance and full implementation of reclamation and rehabilitation measures.
“You don’t press for resumption of mining activities unless we are sure that there is a statutory compliance. No mining activities will resume unless reclamation and rehabilitation (R&R) measures are fully implemented. All statutory compliance should be there,” a special forest bench headed by Justice Aftab Alam said.
The bench, which accepted all recommendations of August 16 report of the apex court-appointed Central Empowered Committee (CEC), asked the authorities in Karnataka to fully cooperate in the implementation of the suggestions.
The report said there was no need for any order for resumption of mining activities till the recommendations are implemented for which all stake-holders had the meeting early this week.
The Bench granted the CEC two weeks to file a comprehensive report detailing the steps taken for statutory compliance, implementation of R&R measures and the permission needed for the resumption of mining.
The bench, also comprising justices K.S. Radhakrishnan and Swatanter Kumar, also asked the CEC to look into the claims of advocate Prashant Bhushan that other serious illegalities and environmental damages have been caused by those operating on category A mines and many of which are in forest area.
Bhushan was appearing for NGO, Samaj Parivartana Samudaya, which has filed PIL against the illegal mining and encroachment of forest areas in the state.
The apex court fixed August 23 to hear arguments on the CEC report of April 27 in which CBI investigation was recommended for theft of iron ore from Belekere port allegedly involving business houses.
Keywords: Karnataka mining, Supreme Court, reclamation and rehabilitation measures, Central Empowered Committee
A way has to be found so that lakhs of jobs and industrial growth can be saved. R&R and environmental compliance is an on-going process. Many dubious mineowners won't want to meet the extra cost. After waiting for another 3 months, the mines that had proper mining licence should be put on auction ad criminal proceedings started against those who broke the law intentionally. Unfortunately, there is a serious problem. It seems that there may be accredited environmental study agencies who are doing a poor job, with incomplete, old and selective data. These firms and their promoters and managers should be banned from doing environmental study for a period of 3 years. If all of us begin to lower our standard for financial gains, then who can be trusted to work diligently in discharging their duty and protect public interest.
all democratic environment legislative and if there are any other norms
were flouted and there is no respite if at all the state govt want to
start mining all old leases must be cancelled and call be given for
auctioning of mines and there all norms must be fixed and auctioned to
the highest bidder then only permission must be granted to reopen mines
or else no
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