HC Refuses to lift ban on sand & minor mineral allotments, says No PESA rules, No Mining

Ranchi, Sept. 24 -- The Jharkhand High Court has expressed strong displeasure at the state government for failing to notify the PESA (Panchayats Extension to Scheduled Areas) rules, refusing to lift the ban on sand and minor mineral allotments in scheduled areas until the rules are formally issued.

During the hearing of a contempt petition filed by the Adivasi Buddhi-Jeevi Manch against the government's delay, the division bench led by Chief Justice Tarlok Singh Chauhan criticised the state's stance.

Addressing the government's counsel, Advocate General Rajiv Ranjan, the bench said, "We expected you to bring a copy of the rules. Notify the rules first; only then can we consider lifting the allocation ban."The petitioner's coordinator, Vic...