SC threatens to stop e-auction of coal blocks for commercial mining

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Wednesday threatened to stop e-auction of coal blocks for commercial mining in several states, a decision it said threw open eco-sensitive forest areas to mining, but stopped short of interfering with the process to allow the centre a last chance to defend its claim that the impact of allowing commercial exploitation of such mines would be minimal.

"We want to ensure that forests are not destroyed during your mining," a three-judge bench led by CJI SA Bobde told Attorney General KK Venugopal, who opposed any court interference with the auction process.