HC to hear mines auction cases on 25 March

The High Court of Orissa has listed the cases filed by miners challenging the decision of the state government to auction lapsed mine leases for hearing on March 25. The interim stay order on the notification has been extended till that period.

"The state government has filed its counter affidavit in the case. The court directed it to provide a copy of the counter to all the petitioners and said the matter will be heard on March 25," said Amit Patnaik, lawyer for Aryan Mining and Trading Corporation (AMTC), one of the applicant in the case. The state cabinet on January 5 had taken a decision to auction all lapsed mining leases, except coal. The decision was in accordance with a Supreme Court order in May 2014, which had directed the Odisha government to either renew the leases or cancel their renewal applications since they have completed 50 years of mining. A resolution to this effect was passed by the government on January 9.

After the notification became public, at least 10 mining firms, including AMTC, Mid-east Integrated Steel Ltd, Kalinga Mining Corporation Ltd, Rungta group and Orissa Manganese & Minerals Ltd had approached the High Court seeking annulment of the government decision.