The bench of justices D D Sinha and Vijaya Kapse- Tahilramani asked the government to file affidavit on a PIL within a month stating if they will modify the clause in a government resolution (GR) allowing them to auction land for dredging of sand.
The court was hearing the PIL contending that instead of allowing auction of land for dredging of sand and inviting bids for the same the government should issue permits.
The PIL said that for several years the local 'hatpadis' (fishermen) have been manually dredging sand through the permit system.
While directing the state government to file a reply, the court stayed the auction notices issued by it.