The Supreme Court on Friday imposed a limited ban on mining operations in Odisha, affecting only lessees who have been operating on deemed renewals for a second time and more.
The three-member SC bench comprising justices AK Patnaik, SS Nijjar and FMI Kalifullah passing an interim order said the 26 companies who were on their second renewal would now have to stop all operations and apply to the State Government for fresh license. The State Government is supposed to decide on these applications within a period of six months based on ‘reasoning’, the order said.
As of now 14 lessees who are operating after the first renewal will be permitted to continue mining. Another 16 lessees, who have already been granted leases, can also resume operations, said the court order.
However, as many as 102 leases listed by the Central Empowered Committee, which don’t have environmental clearances, will not be allowed to operate. Besides, the 29 leases which have lapsed or got their clearances rejected cannot operate until they receive
clearances.