New Delhi: The Supreme Court Wednesday announced formation of an expert committee which would examine the lapses that led to rampant illegal mining in Orissa and recommend measures to avert any such situation in the coming days.
The case of illegal mining came up for hearing Wednesday before a two-judge bench of the apex court, comprising Justice Madam Lokur and Justice Deepak Gupta.
Lawyers representing different mining firms had earlier presented their views on the issue as per the directive of the apex court passed August this year on this issue.
After hearing the arguments of the miners and other parties, the apex court Wednesday announced formation of the expert committee which will be headed by a retired Supreme Court judge and comprise other representatives. The names of the retired SC judge and other panel members are likely to be finalised in a couple of days.
In its August judgment the apex court had ordered the setting up of such a committee after hearing the arguments of the miners concerned.
In its judgment, the SC had said, “We would also like to hear learned counsel for all the parties with regard to the setting up of an expert committee presided over by a retired judge of this Court to identify the lapses that have occurred over the years that have enabled rampant illegal and unlawful mining in Orissa and to recommend preventive measures not only to the State of Orissa but generally to all other states where mining activities are proceeding on a large scale.”
The committee is likely to meet the errant mining firms and scrutinise the matter. According to the plan, the panel will submit a report within 12 weeks before the apex court.
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