Private firms can’t claim mining rights, rules court

The ruling by the Supreme Court  bench that Private companies cannot claim any right of exploitation of minerals and the state can impose a ban on private mining notwithstanding its being permitted earlier is a timely landmark judgement. Much of the environmental degradation in the country has occurred mainly do to mining. The mining mafia is all too powerful because they command the patronage of bureaucrats and politician. One of the major sources of black money in the country is mining, both legal and illegal. In many cases legal mining in a way illegal because permissions for mining is often granted in violation of rules and regulation because of rampant corruption. According to rough estimates, the Government of Tamil Nadu has lost nearly Rs.16,000/- crores due to illegal mining in Thirumangalam Taluk of Madurai district alone in the past few years.The situation is not better in other districts, particularly in regard to sand and granite quarrying. It is much worse in other states.  Dr. C.Murukadas, The Hindu, 3.8.2012