The Hindu reported that the India’s Supreme Court on Thursday cancelled the mining licenses granted by the Mr Shibu Soren government in 2006 to following companies
1. Monnet Ispat and Energy Ltd
2. Jharkhand Ispat Ltd
3. Prakash Ispat Ltd
4. Adhunik Alloys and Power Ltd
5. Abhijeet Infrastructure Ltd
6. Ispat Industries Ltd (Now JSW Ispat Steel)

A two judge Bench comprising Justices RM Lodha and HL Gokhale dismissed the appeal filed by these companies and upheld a 2009 order of the Jharkhand High Court that the Government has the right to reserve mines for public sector undertakings, including SAIL.

The licences were granted in 2006 by the Mr Shibu Soren Government. They were then forwarded to the centre for confirmation because a 1969 Union Government notification laid down that mining in the Ghatkuri Hill was reserved for PSUs and that licences could not be given to private companies.

Subsequently, the Mr Madhu Koda Government withdrew these licences against which the companies moved the Jharkhand High Court.

The High Court ruled that the state is not only the owner of all mines and minerals but has the inherent right to reserve any area for the use of PSUs. The High court, therefore, upheld the Jharkhand Government order withdrawing the licences. The companies then moved the apex court against this order.

Source - The Hindu

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