In Brief
The Supreme Court considered whether mining lessees in Karnataka must continue paying 10% of sale proceeds to an environmental restoration fund (SPV) after the statutory District Mineral Foundation scheme was established. Dismissing the lessees' plea for exemption, the Court held that while both schemes address environmental concerns, the DMF is a general statutory mechanism whereas the SPV addresses the extraordinary, unprecedented plunder of Bellary, Chitradurga and Tumkur requiring an extraordinary remedy. Lessees must continue contributing. The Court also ordered phased approval of the environmental restoration plan, prioritizing conveyor belt systems, railway sidings and sub-lines to control pollution, deferring socio-economic and medical infrastructure measures pending more detailed project proposals.
The lawyer headnote and full judgment text are available to registered users.