Date:28/09/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/09/28/stories/2006092817230400.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

Mining: court pulls up State Government

Staff Reporter

BANGALORE: Two weeks after it had asked the State to file an affidavit and place records and documents pertaining to mining lease in Bellary district, the Karnataka High Court on Wednesday pulled up the State Government for filing an incomplete affidavit.

Expressing its displeasure and annoyance over the manner in which the officials had filed the affidavit, the court said it did not come clean on several aspects of mining lease. It said though it had specifically directed the authorities to make available all records, including applications by 111 persons/companies for grant of mining lease, the officials had chosen to file an incomplete affidavit with scant details.

It again took a dim view of the manner in which the licences were processed and leases granted for lease of mining in Kumaraswamy range in Sandur taluk of Bellary district.

Justice D.V. Shylendra Kumar, who is hearing the case, recalled that he had directed both the Central and State governments to place before it records on grant of mining leases in Eddinpada coming under the Kumaraswamy range. He was passing orders on a petition by MSPL of Hospet which had challenged the grant of mining lease on lands it had sought to two other companies — Jindal Vijayanagar Steel and Kalyani Steels.

MSPL said it had on May 24, 2001 applied to the Department of Mines and Geology for grant of mining lease over 298.4 hectares in Eddinpapa. This land was earlier held on lease for mining by Sandur Manganese and Iron Ore Limited. The State, in turn, requested the Centre to relax the condition on mining by two companies in the same area and grant it to MSPL.

MSPL said Jindal and Kalyani Steels were granted mining leases over the land which it had sought for lease. It urged the court to direct the State and its authorities to grant it lease.

In its affidavit, the State said the then Chief Minister who also held the portfolio of Mines and Geology had processed 111 applications and on October 25, 2004 the applicants were requested to attend a hearing at the Krishna, the home office of the Chief Minister in Bangalore. On that day, 76 applicants were heard and a notice sent again to the remaining to appear for another hearing on November 4, 2004.

Displeased over the affidavit, Mr. Justice Shylendra Kumar directed the State to file additional affidavits, if any, and adjourned further hearing on the case.