The PIL has also sought a CBI probe into divesting Odisha Mining Corporation Ltd (OMC) of the coal block in Talcher coalfield of Angul district and handing over the same to the private firm.
A bench of justices R M Lodha and A R Dave also issued notices to the Ministry of Coal, the Ministry of Environment and Forests, the CBI, the OMC and Delhi-based private mining firm, Sainik Mining and Allied Services Ltd, which was handed over the coal block.
The PIL was filed by Talcher-based social activist Purna Chandra Sahu, who alleged that "while the conduct of the Odisha government was manifestly illegal, that of the Centre remaining silent despite noticing the various acts of omission by the state is equally shocking."
In the petition filed through advocate Suresh Tripathy, the activist has alleged that "due to the non-transparent and arbitrary policy introduced by the Central Government," the coal block allocated in favour of OMC was handed over to a private firm by the state in an "arbitrary and manifestly corrupt manner."
He has said that the coal block was allocated in favour of OMC on December 19, 2003 and the consent letter regarding the same was received by OMC on January 5, 2004.
The petition added that the OMC, meanwhile, on December 29, 2003 OMC had entered into an agreement with M/s Sainik to set up a joint venture (JV), in which the private firm held 74 per cent stake.
It also said the mining lease was acquired by the private firm in "sharp contrast" to the allocation letter which said lease was to be granted to the allottee, OMC. (More)
