Operations may commence, but conditions apply

The Supreme Court on Monday directed resumption of mining operations by 18 mining companies in Karnataka on the basis of the recommendations of the Central Empowered Committee. A three-judge Bench of Justices Aftab Alam, K.S. Radhakrishnan and Swatanter Kumar passed this order on the basis of the CEC’s report that these mines in category A had not indulged in violations and that mining operations could be permitted, subject to their fulfilling certain conditions.