Latest news with #DevelopmentandRegulation)Act
Indian Express
14 hours ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Supreme Court refuses to stay probe against former Congress minister
The Supreme Court Wednesday refused to stay ongoing investigations against former Congress minister Pramod Jain Bhaya, directing him to cooperate in all pending cases, while issuing notice to the Rajasthan government on his petition which had sought clubbing of multiple FIRs registered against him or quashing of all such FIRs. The matter was heard by a bench comprising Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Sandeep Mehta. Senior Advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for Bhaya, pressed for an urgent interim relief praying that the investigation in these 'politically motivated' cases be stayed. He argued that the FIRs were lodged after the 2023 Rajasthan Assembly elections, allegedly to harass Bhaya following his electoral defeat. The FIRs, he argued, are vague, overlapping, and have been filed by politically affiliated complainants to settle scores. Former cabinet minister for Mines, Petroleum and Gopalan in the third Ashok Gehlot ministry from 2018 to 2023, Bhaya was elected to the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly three terms from Anta and Baran constituencies. Representing Rajasthan, Additional Advocate General Shiv Mangal Sharma said that each FIR pertains to separate transactions involving distinct facts, complainants and offences, ranging from illegal mining, issuance of forged pattas, to financial misappropriation and document fabrication in collusion with various public officials. Sharma argued that clubbing these FIRs was neither legally sustainable nor practically feasible, especially as they have been lodged across multiple police stations, and that investigation in several matters is at an advanced stage and that the matters are investigated fairly and independently. Taking note of the submissions of the state, the Supreme Court declined to grant Bhaya an interim relief and directed him to cooperate fully in the investigation in all the FIRs pending against him across Rajasthan. However, the top court also categorically stated that no coercive steps shall be taken against the petitioner until the next date of hearing. In his petition, Bhaya had challenged the May 1 judgment of the Rajasthan High Court where it had dismissed his petitions for clubbing and quashing of FIRs, terming the reliefs sought 'contradictory and legally irreconcilable.' The High Court had observed that the FIRs involved distinct allegations and did not arise out of a single transaction, and hence the 'test of sameness' was not satisfied. It further ruled that no mala fides could be presumed without any specific pleading or proof against the investigating officers. The FIRs against Bhaya include allegations under various provisions of the IPC, SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, and others, registered at multiple police stations. The SC sought a response from the state government within four weeks.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Govt cancels 1st auction of ore dumps, to alter procedure
Panaji: State govt cancelled the first auction of low-grade iron ore dumps as it decided to change the procedure for auctioning the same. Chief secretary V Candavelou, who is also mines secretary, told TOI that state govt would bring minor changes in the dump policy to change the procedure of auction. After completing the first day of e-auctioning low-grade iron ore dumps, the directorate of mines and geology (DMG) cancelled the remaining three phases of auctions of dumps that were scheduled for Jan 31 and Feb 3 and 4 due to a 'technical issue'. The auctions were subsequently cancelled. The Supreme Court allowed Goa govt to carry out dump mining activity in the state in accordance with an expert committee's report. Accordingly, the policy for regulating iron ore dump handling was notified on Sep 14, 2023. The dump handling policy, 2023, paved the way to deal with the 700 million tonnes of low-grade iron ore lying inside and outside mining leases across Goa, and to export 25 million tonnes per annum. The DMG conducted the first auction for four dumps, and bids were accepted only for three dumps. Due to a technical reason, the auction of one dump did not start. State govt put 18 low-grade iron ore dumps up for auction. Goa Foundation said that the DMG should cancel the auctions and re-conduct them after first granting a proper mining lease and obtaining all necessary approvals, as required by the expert committee on dumps and the various provisions of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act. State govt received 125 bids for the 18 dumps that were put up for auction. A total of 173 mining companies and traders showed interest in purchasing them. Govt fixed a reserve price of 22% for the first e-auction of low-grade iron ore dumps in the state. If the Indian Bureau of Mines' price is Rs 100 per tonne for low-grade iron ore and the mining companies purchase the ore at auction at the 22% reserve price, the companies must pay Rs 22 per tonne to govt. Govt also fixed the criteria for traders and mining companies to participate in the e-auction — the bidders should have a minimum net worth of Rs 25 crore. Govt put up the 18 low-grade iron ore dumps with a total quantity of around 30 million tonnes for auction. Up to 25 million tonnes of ore from dump handling can be exported. Of the 18 dumps, 15 are in South Goa. A senior official said that the dump handling policy was challenged in court. Recently, state cabinet amended the dump mining policy to allow erstwhile leaseholders to handle the low-grade iron ore dumped by them in another mining lease that was never operated.
Indian Express
01-07-2025
- Indian Express
As blasting continues unabated in Aravallis, Nuh administration lodges FIR, orders border demarcation
The sub-divisional magistrate of Nuh in Haryana said Tuesday they have filed a complaint, and ordered round-the-clock patrolling through a newly-established temporary police post after receiving complaints of ongoing blasting work by illegal miners at the Aravallis. Laxmi Narayan, Sub-Divisional Magistrate, told The Indian Express he reached the site on June 27 with officials from the State Enforcement Bureau after receiving complaints from the Pathrili village. The village is located on the border of Haryana and Rajasthan. While Rajasthan allows mining via leases, all such activities have been banned in Haryana by the Supreme Court. The official said the alleged illegal miners fled with their machinery by the time the team reached, but they saw some of the trucks that had damaged substantial hillocks in the protected Aravallis. Speaking with The Indian Express, the SDM said, 'We will take strict action against all those responsible. An FIR was filed over the weekend. I have ordered that a fresh and clear demarcation of the border be done by the mining department by erecting new pillars and signboards. We will assess and know the full damage done thereafter.' He said the First Information Report (FIR) has been filed against unknown persons under the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act. Mining in the Aravalli region in the Gurgaon, Faridabad, and Nuh districts has been prohibited by the Supreme Court since 2002. In May, the Supreme Court had taken exception to the Haryana Government's alleged inaction against illegal mining in the Aravallis in Nuh. The top court had noted that the mining mafia in the region seemed to be protecting the errant officials aiding the illegalities. The apex court sought a detailed report from the Haryana Government by July 15, and said it found the chief secretary's affidavit evasive and insufficient for shifting the onus to the forest department. In June, the Haryana Government began efforts to restore 25,000 hectares of degraded forest area in the Aravallis — long been hailed as the 'lungs' of the National Capital Region (NCR). The Aravalli range passes through Gurgaon, Nuh, Mahendragarh, Rewari, Mahendergarh, and Charkhi Dadri districts of Haryana. Nuh has the largest recorded forest area among these, with 14,606 hectares. The range, which extends from Southwest Gujarat in Champaner to Northeast Delhi and Haryana, acts as a natural barrier against incursion of sand, loo, and dust from the Thar desert.
Time of India
20-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
India finalises ₹5,000 crore incentive scheme for rare earths mineral production
India has firmed up a ₹3,500-5,000 crore scheme to incentivise production of rare earth minerals and derived magnets in the country and could be approved in a fortnight, a top government official said. "The priority is to start domestic-critical mineral production in the shortest time period," the official told ET. The sops under the proposed scheme will be offered through a reverse auction process, the official said. The decision to offer incentives for rare earths comes after an internal ministerial review flagged the need for diversification in the wake of acute dependence on Chinese imports. "Fresh steps are being taken to boost domestic availability of critical minerals," he said, adding that at least five large domestic companies had informally expressed keenness to produce these in consultations with the government. China has a near monopoly of the world's supply of rare earth magnets and has curbs on exports. These critical minerals needed in the manufacture of rare earth magnets are crucial for making cars, electric vehicles (EVs) and the renewable energy infrastructure. Industry, particularly the automobile industry, has flagged the detrimental impact of the Chinese curbs and sought government intervention. Beijing in April made a special export licences mandatory for export of seven rare earth elements and related magnets. India's EV and wind turbine makers are the largest demand centres for rare earth elements, cornering over half the entire 4010 metric tonne domestic demand in 2025. Overall demand is expected to more than double to 8220 metric tonnes by 2030. Besides, the government is also planning an amendment to the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act to support the critical mineral mission. Besides regulatory tweaks, the Centre is also expecting commercially viable domestic production of rare earth permanent magnets in small quantities later this year. The ministry of science and technology had sanctioned funding for Midwest Advanced Materials Private Ltd , Hyderabad.
Time of India
20-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
India finalises ₹5,000 crore incentive scheme for rare earths mineral production
India has firmed up a ₹3,500-5,000 crore scheme to incentivise production of rare earth minerals and derived magnets in the country and could be approved in a fortnight, a top government official said. "The priority is to start domestic-critical mineral production in the shortest time period," the official told ET. The sops under the proposed scheme will be offered through a reverse auction process, the official said. The decision to offer incentives for rare earths comes after an internal ministerial review flagged the need for diversification in the wake of acute dependence on Chinese imports. "Fresh steps are being taken to boost domestic availability of critical minerals," he said, adding that at least five large domestic companies had informally expressed keenness to produce these in consultations with the government. China has a near monopoly of the world's supply of rare earth magnets and has curbs on exports. These critical minerals needed in the manufacture of rare earth magnets are crucial for making cars, electric vehicles (EVs) and the renewable energy infrastructure. Industry, particularly the automobile industry, has flagged the detrimental impact of the Chinese curbs and sought government intervention. Beijing in April made a special export licences mandatory for export of seven rare earth elements and related magnets. India's EV and wind turbine makers are the largest demand centres for rare earth elements, cornering over half the entire 4010 metric tonne domestic demand in 2025. Overall demand is expected to more than double to 8220 metric tonnes by 2030. Besides, the government is also planning an amendment to the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act to support the critical mineral mission. Besides regulatory tweaks, the Centre is also expecting commercially viable domestic production of rare earth permanent magnets in small quantities later this year. The ministry of science and technology had sanctioned funding for Midwest Advanced Materials Private Ltd , Hyderabad.
