2011 (9) TMI 1238 - SC - Indian Laws

Supreme Court accepts Central Empowered Committee recommendations, clarifies exclusion for Manganese ore leases, and extends order to additional districts.

Samaj Parivartana Samudaya & Ors. Versus State of Karnataka & Ors.

The Supreme Court accepted the recommendations of the Central Empowered Committee, with certain clarifications, including exclusion of Paragraph (5) for ... - Issues involved: Acceptance of recommendations of the Central Empowered Committee, clarification on specific points in the report, extension of previous order to additional districts, modification of the period for submitting a report, funding for macro level EIA study.Acceptance of recommendations: The Supreme Court accepted the recommendations of the Central Empowered Committee as per its report dated 1st September, 2011. However, certain clarifications were provided: (a) Exclusion of Paragraph (5) of the Report for leases exclusively for Manganese ore, (b) Amendment in clause (ix) of Paragraph (2) to replace 'to the Government' with 'to the State of Karnataka', and (c) Mandating periodic audit of sale proceeds accounts by the Accountant General of the State of Karnataka.Extension of previous order: Paragraph (v) of the Order dated 26th August, 2011, was extended to include the Districts of Tumkur and Chitradurga, in addition to Bellary. The Court directed the ICFRE to conduct a macro level EIA study and submit a reclamation and rehabilitation plan for these districts. The period for this study and plan submission was extended by three months from the date of the Order.Funding for EIA study: Due to the high expenses associated with the macro level EIA study, the Court directed that the costs should be covered under the ad-hoc CAMPA Scheme, in accordance with the decision of the ad-hoc CAMPA Committee.