SC seeks experts for panel on Aravalis; mining ban to continue | India News
New Delhi: The SC on Thursday asked the environment ministry and other stakeholders to propose names of domain experts for the committee to define the Arabali hills and ranges and observed that only legal mining would be allowed in the area.The apex court, on December 29, took note of the outrage over the new definition of Arablis and stayed its November 20 order accepting a uniform definition of hills and ranges. It also halted all mining operations.
On Thursday, a bench comprising CJI Surya Kant and Justices Jayamalya Bagchi and Vipul M Pancholi extended its earlier stay on mining for the time being.Arabli case: We will allow only legal mining, says SCDuring the hearing, senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for one of the litigants, said the company had a mining license and won mining rights after a long battle. Now the mining work has come to a standstill due to court orders.“We will allow only legal mining…experts tell us (the definition). We will cross all bridges and reach the right destination,” the CJI said.Bench asks lawyer J Cheema to assist. Senior advocate K Parameshwar is already assisting the bench as amicus curiae.“We request the (environment) ministry to recommend a panel of domain experts along with their profiles. The senior counsel is requested to give profiles of some eminent domain experts for the purpose of constituting the committee, as observed by this court,” the bench said.The bench said it was aware that all activities, especially mining by licensed companies, had stopped. “However, the status quo must be maintained for the time being until some preliminary issues are answered in a phased manner. Post this matter for the constitution of the committee,” said the CJI.The bench asked the stakeholders to submit written notes by March 10 after the amicus curiae submitted its suggestions on the aspect of definition of Arabli hills and ranges.The bench said it would constitute a panel of experts and frame issues for decision on the next date of hearing.Earlier, the bench had said that prima facie it appears that a committee’s previous report and judgment “were omitted to clearly clarify certain critical issues” and there was “a dire need for further investigation” to prevent any regulatory loopholes that could undermine the ecological integrity of the Arabali region.“There has been considerable anger among environmentalists, who have expressed concern over the possibility of misinterpretation and improper implementation of the definition and directions of this court,” the bench said.
