Supreme Court takes note of oversight authority's report on implementation of environmental plan for mining areas in Karnataka
In April 2022, the apex court had appointed Justice (retd) B Sudershan Reddy as the oversight authority to monitor the implementation of the scheme for improvement and restoration of health and projects in the iron ore mining-affected areas in Karnataka.
A Supreme Court bench headed by Chief Justice of India Justice NV Ramana and comprising of Justices JK Maheshwari and Hima Kohli, today took note of the report by Justice B.Sudershan Reddy, Former Judge, Supreme Court of India, who was appointed as the “Oversight Authority", to monitor the implementation of a scheme for restoration and health projects in the iron ore mining-affected areas in Karnataka.
In April 2022, the court had issued the direction for appointment of oversight authority while considering applications filed by the State of Karnataka seeking urgent implementation of CEPMIZ for the release of funds. Karnataka government, in its application, had sought directions from the court for the immediate release of funds for the implementation of restoration projects under CEPMIZ in three districts and as per the proposal, a total of around Rs 24,000 crores is envisaged to be utilised for the said purpose.
Today, granted liberty to the concerned parties to apply for a copy of the Report and further asked the Registry of the Court to supply it on payment of usual charges.
In May 2021, Supreme Court allowed mining and export of iron ore, subject to the terms and conditions laid down by the government. The bench further permitted selling readily excavated iron ore stock at three districts in Karnataka. The court has also granted permission to allocate iron ore by entering into direct contracts without resorting to e-auction. While noting that the e-auction has not elicited a good response, held that it is now time to relax its 2011 order imposing conditions on the sale of iron ore mined in the State.
In its order, the bench has sought for the opinion from the oversight committee on lifting of ceiling limit for production, mining lease among other. The committee was directed to send its recommendation in four weeks.
The matter will now come up for hearing on August 23, 2022.
Case Title: Samaj Parivartana Samudaya vs Karnataka