JAIPUR | Aug 24, 2017: Rajasthan High Court has issued notice to the principal secretary and director of mines on a PIL challenging Rajasthan Minor Minerals Concession Rules 2017 and the auction notification on July 23 this year.

The division bench of the high court comprising Chief Justice issued notice on a PIL by Brahm Dutt Sharma, said, 53 plots have been notified for auction in Bhilwara, Tonk, and Sikar districts for mining masonry stones and granite.

Ashwini Choubisa, the counsel for the petitioner said, rule 7 of the Rules have been challenge don the ground that grant of mining leases less than 5 hectare is violation of the apex court order where scientific mining is not possible.

Rules relating to auction have been challenged on the ground that state government has not undertaken the exercise to establish the existence of minerals and as such left the assessment of minerals on the auction by inspection . This is not possible because the extent, quality, and price of minerals could only by way of drilling, testing, and other scientific methods.

The matter has been posted for further hearing on September 13.

(Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/)