Above: Supreme Court

The issue with regard to modalities that would govern the auction of the Category C mines in Karnataka, which were ordered to be cancelled by the apex court judgment in April 2013 came up before the Supreme Court on Wednesday (August 16). Amicus curiae Shyam Divan argued that there are a large number of industries which are end-users but were unable to take part in the bidding process of such iron-ore mines.

After hearing arguments, the apex court asked the petitioners to submit a status report on the list of commercially non-viable mines to the amicus curiae. The Court said that it had considered the proposals of the Karnataka government as well as the objections raised by the petitioners (Samaj Parivartana Samudaya and Ors). It observed that there was a need for expert agencies to pitch in, in order to evaluate the technical viability and necessity of the project. The Court also wanted the experts team to study the social and environmental factors.

The petitioners were asked by the Court to submit objections, if any, within four weeks. The next date of hearing was fixed for August 24, 2017.

—India Legal Bureau