Monday, Aug 01,
The government will seek to isolate violators of law among mining companies and determine the amount of iron ore required by the steel industry in order to persuade the Supreme Court to modify its order issued on Friday suspending mining in Karnataka’s Bellary district.
The government has asked the court to review that order. On Friday, the court sought information on the amount of ore needed, the share of Bellary mines in the total requirement and the quantum of ore exported.
Ministry sources said Attorney-General GE Vahanvati has already asked the environment ministry to convene a meeting with secretaries of the ministries of mines, steel and commerce to provide information sought by the court. The report has to be tabled in a week. The meeting of secretaries is on Tuesday.
The people said there is no immediate crisis because there is not much mining during the monsoon. They said the court could modify its order to allow some mining in about three weeks, once it is provided with all the data.
The assessment sought by the Supreme Court ahead of its final order will be crucial in determining the fate of the Bellary region, which alone produces 80% of the total ore produced from Karnataka and employs more than a lakh people.
Source: The Economic Times
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