HC Halts Minor Minerals Auction in Tribal Areas Till PESA Rules Enforced

The Jharkhand HC on Tuesday directed the state government to stop the auction of minor mineral mines in the ST Areas until the PESA (Panchayats Extension to Scheduled Areas) Rules are notified.

- MUKESH RANJAN @Ranchi

The order by a bench comprising Chief Justice Tarlok Singh Chauhan and Justice Rajesh Shankar puts the ongoing auction process for sand quarries in various districts on hold.

The directive follows a contempt petition filed by the tribal outfit — Adivasi Buddhijivi Manch — in the HC, seeking action for the non-implementation of the July 29, 2024 order.