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The Supreme Court on Thursday has said that the court will ask the appointed Judge heading the committee to decide on the issue of Rs. 20,000 Crores Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) funds in the Karnataka iron ore mining case.

A bench of Chief Justice of India NV Ramana, Justice Krishna Murari and Justice Hima Kohli noted that the appointed judge can take a decision the issue.

Advocate Prashant Bhushan appearing for the Petitioner submitted that the SPV funds are meant for the development of the people impacted by the destruction towards the forest area and the committee should have a say in the matter.

The Special Purpose Vehicle known as Karnataka Mining Environment Restoration Corporation has been constituted by the State Government.

To which the bench asked the counsel appearing for the State Government to prepare a draft and circulate it among the parties.

In addition to this, the Counsel appearing for the State further submitted that a retired bureaucrat may be added in the committee, on which the bench asked the State to bring this to the knowledge of Odisha Judge.

The Court appointed Committee has been constituted by the apex court to look over the issue of welfare of regions falling in the mining impact zone.

The bench was hearing a plea filed by Samaj Parivartana Samudaya alleging irregularities in the mining activities being carried out in the State, wherein the Government had moved an application seeking release of funds for the welfare of the mining impact zones.

The plea had stated, "The CEC (apex court-appointed committee) has already recommended the plan of ₹24,000 crore which also provides for a ₹1915.78 crores for the health sector in the said districts ...As on September 30, 2021, the SPV amount now accumulated has reached ₹18,722 crore (including interest amount of ₹7,150 cr) which are available with the monitoring committee."

Earlier, the bench had reserved its judgement on an application by iron ore manufacturers, seeking direction to lift the ban on export of iron ore in Karnataka. 

The Court had said that "we'll first deal with the issue of export and E-auction of the iron ore, whereas, deal with the issue of cap on the iron ore manufacturing at a later stage."

Court was hearing the matter pertaining to lifting of ban on iron ore exports from Karnataka. 

Ministry of Steel's affidavit supported the lifting of ban on iron ore export from Karnataka. The affidavit stated that there must be equality among Karnataka and other States, the policy allows export of Iron ore to all the States and it must be followed.

Advocate Prashant Bhushan appearing for the petitioners submitted that the Ministry of Steel is saying that we need to increase the production of steel for which they would require more iron ore. It doesn't say that the export needs to be done.

However, Senior Advocate Dushyant Dave appearing for the manufacturers stated, "Should all these measures be continued when all the other States has no bar on export of iron Ore?"

Case Title: Samaj Parivartana Samudaya vs Karnataka