The Law Department has said in a written reply to Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council K.S. Eshwarappa that renewal of eight mining licences approved, in principle, by the government are “not valid”.
Raising the issue in the Legislative Council on Monday, Mr. Eshwarappa said the government should officially declare cancellation of licences in the light of the Law Department’s opinion on the issue. He said an “open letter” on the issue, written by him to the Chief Minister had been forwarded to the Law Department. In reply, the department had said the principal approval given by the government was “not valid” under section 8 (A) (5) (6) of the Ordinance promulgated in January this year by the Union government to amend the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957.
Though the BJP sought to move the controversial issue of mining licence renewal as an adjournment motion, it was reserved for a detailed discussion later, and reply by the Chief Minister.
When this issue was raised earlier by the BJP, Mr. Siddaramaiah had argued that in-principle approval was given as per the recommendations of the Indian Bureau of Mines (IBM) and it was subject to clearance from the Centre.
