From The Economic Times · Indu Bhan · · 40s
SC backs Goa iron ore dumps disposal without auction
Supreme Court allows Goa to remove iron ore dumps without new auction.
In brief
Supreme Court allows Goa to remove iron ore dumps without new auction. Supreme Court permits Goa to dispose of iron ore dumps without fresh public auction under existing policy. Originally reported by The Economic Times.
Supreme Court rules
Supreme Court upholds Goa government's policy on iron ore dump handling allowing former mining leaseholders to remove inventoried dumps without fresh public auction.
“First, an entity has to identify the exact material, what is saleable and what is not saleable, then it has to determine who will undertake the process, segregate the material, evaluate it, invite tenders, deal with challenges to those tenders and settle the conditions.”
Environmental concerns
CJI Surya Kant warned that environmental protection is critical as blocked mineral dump removal causes serious ecological harm.
“Because of this process, the material will remain dumped there, leading to very serious consequences, therefore, it is also in the public interest that the material is moved from there.”
Policy upheld
Supreme Court refuses to interfere with Bombay High Court order that validated Clause 2(2) of Goa's iron ore dump handling policy.
The big picture
Supreme Court permits Goa to dispose of iron ore dumps without fresh public auction under existing policy.
