Mines Ministry opposes cap on iron ore production in Odisha, Supreme Court seeks MOEF's stand
Unsatisfied with the Ministry of Mines’ response that no capping is warranted on production of iron ore in Odisha, the Supreme Court on Monday sought the independent view of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF) on the impact of mining on the environment and the concept of intergenerational equity, the issues not looked at by the former.
The Ministry of Mines told the SC that steel being an important pillar in achieving the economic goals of the nation and in making India self-reliant, any such capping would be highly detrimental towards achieving the common developmental goals of the nation. «Putting a cap on production of a mineral in a particular state, which is resource rich in that commodity, will jeopardise the economic development of the nation, mineral availability for the downstream industries and the requirement to sub-serve the huge population base of the country,” it said.
A bench led by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud sought to know if the MoEF was consulted by the Ministry of Mines on the issue.
It also asked for the response from the SC-appointed Central Empowered Committee on capping iron ore mining in Odisha. “The MoEFCC has to apply its mind and tell…that is the expert ministry dealing with the environment,” the bench said.
The SC also directed the Odisha government to file a fresh affidavit giving details of recoveries made from defaulter mining firms from the last order passed on August 14, the outstanding dues and details of properties of mining firms which were attached for recovery of dues.
