Karnataka high court asks govt, mine owners to reach settlement

The Karnataka high court today directed the government and owners of iron ore mines to arrive at a consensus on the contentious issue of extending validity of transport permits as both stuck to their original stands.

While mine owners have been pressing for extending the existing seven-day period validity to 12, the state is firm on not accepting it.

The suggestion by a division bench, headed by Chief Justice KS Khehar, that it be extended up to nine days, which the government accepted, was rejected by the mine owners.

In the wake of a lack of agreement, Khehar adjourned the case to September 17 and directed both parties to sit across the table and arrive at a consensus on modifications of rules by that date.

The court meanwhile adjourned to tomorrow, hearing of the batch of petitions filed by mine owners, challenging the ban on iron ore exports.