HC raps K'taka govt on illegal mining, exports

The Karnataka High Court today rapped the state government for not taking sufficient measures to curb illegal mining and export of illegally mined iron ores, despite banning exports a month ago. The court gave the sate government a week’s time to announce procedures to address the issue.

A division bench, headed by Chief Justice J S Khehar, at a special session, asked the state government to explain what action had been taken to curb illegal mining since the ban was imposed on July 26. Nine mining companies, including Sesa Goa and Mineral Enterprises, had approached the high court against the state government’s ban on export of iron ore.

When Advocate General Ashok Harnahally submitted that the government was waiting for Lokayukta to complete its investigation, Justice Khehar said, “How long do the state police force take to investigate illegal mining. Why are the police waiting for Lokayukta to complete the investigation? One month is a lot of time to find out where the missing iron ore is gone from the ports.”

“If somebody is wrong, stall him and not stall everybody. The state is lacking will in taking action against illegal miners,” said the chief justice, while referring to the ban. He directed the advocate general to come out with the details of measures taken by the government to curb illegal mining within one week, before adjourning the case to next Friday.

Earlier, Abhishek Singhvi, who appeared for Sesa Goa and Mineral Enterprises, resumed his argument and pleaded that the state government had no power to ban exports. He said the mining companies were making a loss of Rs 250 crore every week and more than 5,000 workers were rendered jobless due to the ban.

D L N Rao, who appeared for five other mining companies, including Lakshminarayana Mining and Deccan Mining Syndicate, said the ban was affecting the fundamental right of the mining companies. Uday Holla appeared for V S Lad & Sons.