Thaindian News

New Delhi, April 1 (IANS) The Supreme Court Friday asked the Orissa Mining Corporation (OMC) to file either a writ petition or a contempt petition against the ministry of environment and forests over its decision against bauxite mining in Kalahandi.

The ministry had refused permission to mine bauxite in Kalahandi’s Niyamgiri hills for OMC’s joint venture partner Sterlite Industries, a Vedanta sister concern.

An apex court bench of Justice R.V. Raveendran and Justice A.K. Patnaik said this after it took objection to the OMC’s application that it had filed in the matter, which was disposed off in 2008.

The OMC had filed an application challenging the ministry decision of August 24, 2010, declining permission to mine bauxite in Kalahandi’s Niyamgiri hills. The application was filed earlier this month.

The application has said that despite court’s clearance, the ministry has reopened the issue by overlooking the apex court clearance to it.

“The Supreme Court took into account the ecological, environmental, wildlife and relief and rehabilitation measures for the tribals before giving clearance to the project,” the application said.

Senior counsel K.K. Venugopal, who had appeared for the OMC and mentioned the matter, was told by the court to either file a writ petition or contempt against the ministry for violating the apex court’s order.

However, the court permitted the OMC to convert its application into a writ petition.

The denial of permission by the ministry has come as a set back to the Vedanta’s plan to set up an aluminum refinery in Orissa.

Vedanta’s move to get an alternative place to mine the bauxite has not succeeded so far.

The apex court by its Nov 23, 2007 and Aug 08, 2008 orders had permitted Sterlite Industries to mine the Kalahandi’s Niyamgiri hills.

The multi-crore project involves mining and setting up of a aluminum refining project in the area.