HC asks Centre to respond to PIL over illegal mines allotment

The Rajasthan High Court today asked the Centre to respond to a PIL, seeking a CBI probe into the alleged illegal allotment of gold and iron ore mines to a company in Bhilwara district.
A single bench of Justice R S Rathore has asked the Union Secretary, Mines Department to respond to the PIL, filed by Bhilwara Press Society and others, within a week.
A large number of villagers have also approached the Court seeking quashing of acquisition proceedings of their land, which is proposed to be used for mining purposes by the Jindal Saw Ltd.
The High court had earlier in February this year called for an explanation from the company and the state government over the "contradictory" statements made by them regarding the availability of gold and iron ores in the area.

It pointed out that the company as well as the state government had earlier denied availability of any gold and silver and admitted the presence of low quality of iron ores in the area.
The Court has posted the matter for hearing on September 16.