Delhi High Court seeks government response on Sarda plea on removal of coal stock

NEW DELHI: Delhi High Court today asked the government to inform it in two days the steps it can take with regard to Sarda Energy and Minerals Ltd's plea for extension of time to remove the coal stock it has extracted till date.

Justice Suresh Kait asked the Coal Ministry to take instructions on issues raised by Sarda, which said it would require time to dispose of the coal it has extracted till date and those it would continue to extract till March 31 after which the mine, Gare Palma IV/7 in Chhattisgarh, would be handed over to the new allotee, Monnet Ispat and Energy Ltd.

The court directed Sarda to implead Monnet as a party in the case after Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Sanjay Jain, appearing for the ministry, contended that such issues would have to be handled by the prior and new allotee and thus, Monnet be also included in the matter.

The matter was listed for further hearing on March 26. Sarda has moved the court apprehending that it would not be allowed to remove the stock of coal it has mined or extracted and for which it has paid royalty, after handing over control of the mine to Monnet.

It has said there was around six lakh tonnes of coal, washed coal, middling and rejects which are at present stocked at the site and added that it was unable to remove them as there was a strike by workers.

Sarda said that another reason for delay in removal of the mineral stock was due to lack of railway tracks close to the mine and more time being taken for transport by road.

It said it had made a representation to the government to extend the time for removal of the coal stock, but there has been no response.