e-auctioned in Jharkhand and a similar direction may be passed if such things are brought to its notice from other states. Maintaining that it only wanted to ensure that the forests are not destroyed, Supreme Court said that it is mulling over the setting up of an expert committee to examine whether an area near the proposed mining sites in Jharkhand qualifies to be an eco sensitive zone. A bench headed by Chief Justice S A Bobde said “We intend to pass orders that any proposed mining block near the 50 kilometer radius of the eco-sensitive zone in Jharkhand will not be allowed to be e-auctioned.”
Attorney General K K Veugopal, appearing for the Centre, opposed the remarks of the top court saying the mining sites were at a distance of 20 to 70 kms from such eco-sensitive zones and in states like Goa, the mining would become impossible, if this distance parameter is applied.
Strategic Research Institute, SteelGuru
