[Karnataka iron ore export ban] Supreme Court asks Karnataka government to make its stand clear; reserves verdict

The Supreme Court on Monday reserved its verdict in the plea seeking lifting of the ban on export of iron ore mined from Karnataka [Samaj Parivartan Samudaya vs State of Karnataka]..During the hearing of the matter, the Bench of Chief Justice of India, NV Ramana, Justices Krishna Murari and Hima Kohli noted that response of the Central government was not clear in the case. "Leading newspaper editorials say this can happen or that can happen. That cannot be done here. Sad thing is You (Centre) have not made your stand clear," the CJI said. .However, Additional Solicitor General (ASG) KM Nataraj appearing for the Central government, stated that the stand of the Union government is to allow exports."Clear stand is export of iron ore can be allowed. Sum and substance is competing interests do not matter to us," the ASG stated. .The Karnataka government submitted that it was not in favor of lifting the ban and that a formal decision of the State Cabinet will be communicated to the top court. The Bench asked the State to clarify its stand by tomorrow. .Advocate Prashant Bhushan appearing for the petitioner NGO, batted for maintaining the ban and relied on the affidavit filed by Union Steel Ministry to state that iron ore requirements of the country is on the rise. "The affidavit by steel ministry says India produces 120 million tons every years and it needs 192 million tons every year. The ministry is saying we need to increase production of steel and thus we need more iron ore. It is not saying that there is surplus of iron ore which we can export," Bhushan argued. .Senior counsel Dushyant Dave appearing for mining companies, contended that Bhushan cannot stand in the way of the growth of the country especially when illegalities relating to the mining process have been rectified..Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for steel producers, argued that the ban should not be lifted since most of the iron ore is exported to China to make pellets. He said that e-auctions should be started.."This iron ore will go to China for their pellet industry and they want to send this for the exponential profits they will earn. 2013-24 Karnataka price was much more than in Odisha. Then again in 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018. With international prices so high, why will companies like Vedanta sell it to India?" Sibal argued.To this, CJI Ramana observed that this litigation seemed more like a battle between two or three companies. .The Central government counsel stated that if export is allowed all over the country, it cannot be restricted as regards one particular area.The Court eventually proceeded to reserve it verdict. .[Read Our Live Coverage]