Odisha High Court further extended the date of hearing by one month and permitted Tata Steel to continue operations until then.
Relief to Tata Steel as Odisha High Court gave an extension of another month to its key Iron ore mines and Chrome ore mines in the state. The hearing, earlier scheduled for 2 Mar’15, was extended further for a month’s time. Thus, the mines will continue to operate for 1 more month.
Tata Steel’s four mines namely Bamebari, Katamati, Joda East and Joda West mines were suspended by the state government since 15 Nov’14 after expiry of their statutory clearances. Against this, a petition was filed by the company in the Odisha High Court, for which the court had allowed operations till 28 Jan’15.
Based on the hearing that took place on 28 Jan’15, the state government had filed an affidavit, for which the High Court asked petitioner (Tata Steel) to file rejoinder affidavit (if any) till 11 Feb’15. The next hearing, that was then scheduled to take place on 2 Mar’15, has been extended by another month. Till then the company can continue its operations at the four mines in Odisha.
“A counter affidavit is filed by State in the court today. The same is taken on record. Copy of the counter affidavit is served on the learned counsel for the petitioner. Rejoinder affidavit, if any, be filed till 11 Feb’15 and reply to the rejoinder affidavit, if any, be filed by State till 25 Feb’15. The matter be listed on 2 Mar’15 at 2.00 pm. Interim order passed earlier shall continue till the next date”, as stated by Odisha High Court on 29 Jan’15.
Why were these mines closed?
Earlier, six mine leases of Tata Steel, including the above four mines, went off operations after the interim order of the Supreme Court on 16 May’14. In its interim order, the Supreme Court had called for suspending operations of 26 Iron ore and Manganese mines in Odisha awaiting second and subsequent renewal that were operating under the provisions of deemed extension of lease as allowed under Mineral Concession Rules (MCR). The top court held that such mines cannot continue operations until the state government passes express orders under Section 8 (3) of the Mines & Minerals (Development & Regulation) Act, 1957.
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