New Delhi: The Supreme Court Friday directed
the Karnataka government to allow the export of iron ore that has piled up in major ports of the state following the imposition of a ban on overseas shipments to check illegal
mining.
A bench comprising Justices R V Raveendran and A K
Patnaik also directed the state government to notify a
proposed new law to check illegal mining in the state by March
31.
The bench further said if the state government does not
bring the proposed Karnataka Prevention of Illegal Mining
Transportation and a Storage of Minerals Act, 2011, into force
by the end of March, mining firms would be entitled to get
interim relief.
The Supreme Court direction came over a plea filed by
mining firms challenging two orders of the state government
banning the transportation of iron ore within the state and
exports from ports.
The firms that challenged the order of the state
government were Sesa Goa, MSPL and S B Minerals Enterprises.
Last month, the Supreme Court had asked the Karnataka
government to either notify the new law against illegal mining
within two weeks or lift its order banning transportation of
iron ore meant for export.
Earlier, the Karnataka government had banned the
transportation of iron ore for export purposes for six months
pending a legislation to curb illegal mining.
The apex court had also said the ban was temporary in
nature, imposed only for six months originally, and had asked
the government not to extend it beyond January.
PTI
First Published: Friday, February 11, 2011, 13:25