The Jharkhand High Court on Tuesday ordered the State Government to stop all auctions of Sand Ghats and minor mineral mines until the Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act (PESA) rules are formally notified. The order immediately stopped the auction process underway in several districts.
Also Read: Chief Secretary Ordered Timely and Transparent Sand Ghat Auction Across State
Contempt Plea by Tribal Forum
The bench of Chief Justice Tarlok Singh Chauhan and Justice Rajesh Shankar delivered the order while hearing a contempt petition filed by the Adivasi Budhijeevi Manch. The petitioners argued that despite the court’s earlier order dated 29th July 2024, the State had failed to notify PESA rules and was continuing with long-term auctions of sand and other minor mineral blocks. Senior advocates Ajit Kumar, Abhishek Rai and Gyanant Singh represented the petitioners.
Also Read: Jharkhand is All Set to Auction Six Mineral Blocks
During the hearing, the court reacted sharply when Panchayati Raj Secretary Manoj Kumar attempted to pass the responsibility onto the Chief Minister and Cabinet ministers. The bench observed, “Do you want us to send the Chief Minister and ministers to jail? Is that what you are suggesting?” The judges noted that the Government’s delay was undermining the intent of the 73rd Constitutional Amendment, which was meant to empower Gram Sabhas in Scheduled Areas with control over land and natural resources.
Two Weeks’ Deadline for Compliance
Rejecting the Government’s plea for four weeks’ time, the court allowed only two weeks to act on the matter. The bench scheduled the next hearing after the given deadline. Legal observers believe the order will have a wide impact on Governance in Scheduled Areas, where local communities have long demanded greater say in managing natural resources.
Also Read: Parliament Cleared Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill 2025
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