The Supreme Court on Friday directed the CBI to investigate
the linkage between illegal mining in Bellary, Karnataka and Obulapuram, Andhra
Pradesh allegedly involving firms including that of Reddy brothers.
The court also said it was happy to note that the procedure
of e-auction has benefited the economy of the state (Karnataka) as indicated in
the report. “We are of the view that the e-auction suggested by the monitoring
committee should continue so that the best possible price is obtained,” it
said.
The court said the public sector NMDC is permitted to
continue mining operations in two mining leases in Bellary subject to the
condition that the entire iron ore production from these two leases will be
sold only through e-auction by the monitoring committee. The monitoring
committee will dispose of 80 per cent of the sale proceeds to NMDC.
The court also sought details of companies involved in
manganese and iron ore mining legally. This would help it to consider allowing
mining of manganese ore.
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