SC pulls up Karnataka govt on mining licenses

Apex court asked Karnataka government to decide till Monday on the mining licenses in certain parts of the state. The bench comprising of Justice NV Ramana and Justice Krishna Murari were hearing a matter pertaining with allegations of systematic plunder of natural resources by a handful of opportunists seeking to achieve immediate gains.

Karnataka: The Supreme court issued notice to the Karnataka government and gave the state time till Monday after the Holi break to decide on the mining licenses in certain parts of the state and the case also denied to pass any order till then.

The bench comprising of Justice NV Ramana and Justice Krishna Murari were hearing a matter pertaining with allegations of systematic plunder of natural resources by a handful of opportunists seeking to achieve immediate gains. It raised the question of over exploiting, rampant mining, specially in the Bellary district of Karnataka.

The court was appraised on day that the CEC has failed to ascertain if the land concerned is a forest land or revenue land.

Senior Advocate Dushyan Dave appearing for connected matters in common lease informed the court that since 2009 the lease has not been renewed.

Justice Ramana pulled up the Karnataka government and asked if the bureaucracy in the state has failed, he said that it is not working. He asked if it is permissible for the bureaucracy to not do anything and let everything pass to the court.

The court adjourned the matter asking the Karnataka government to decide on mining licenses.