SC to hear experts, govt on preserving resources

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Tuesday said it would consider the submissions of experts and the government, instead of a mining firm, on the principle of intergenerational equity for exploiting minerals in such a way that they remain for future generations as well.

“We will not hear you [Sesa Goa, a Vedanta group firm involved in iron ore extraction and export] on this...business lobbies are influencing the policies and even the judiciary,” the bench said.

NGO Goa Foundation, which had filed the PIL on the alleged illegal iron ore extraction in Goa, had also taken the plea that there should be a cap on maximum limit of mining as the minerals needed to be preserved for future genera tions also in pursuance of prin ciple of intergenerational equity

The court told senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, counsel for Sesa Goa, that there is separate chap ter in Political Science on pres sure groups and lobbyists and it would consider the findings and submissions of the experts and government bodies.

During the day-long hearing Sesa Goa, the largest producer and exporter of iron ore in the country, said the court should allow the export of mined iron ore which are lying as wastes at various mines in Goa.

“The court may put any condi tion as it deem fit and allow the export of iron ore which are lying The year-long ban on mining may also affect the export license of the mining companies,” Rohatg said.