Above: A TV grab of a coal mine in Lalmatia, Godda. Photo: UNI

The Supreme Court on Thursday (February 15) gave a nod to the resumption of mining work in Odisha in which clearances have been obtained and payment has been made.

The bench comprising of Justices Madan B Lokur and Deepak Gupta was acting on the plea filed by an NGO seeking directions to immediately stop forthwith all illegal mining in the State of Odisha.

During the course of hearing, the petitioner’s counsel submitted that violations have taken place in respect of grant of environment clearances and requested it take cognizance of the grant of forest clearance and environment clearance that took place after 2012.

—India Legal Bureau