Order
1. Heard the learned counsel for the parties.
2. The State of Jharkhand has filed an affidavit in these special leave petitions inter alia stating that the matter has been considered by the State Government without prejudice to its rights and contentions in these proceedings. The State Government has decided as follows:
(a) Each petitioner Company would be required to file with the State Government an affidavit assuring that it would establish its plant within a reasonable time.
(b) Each petitioner Company would also be required to give a written undertaking to the State Government that they would ensure that no part of the iron ore shall be wasted and that all of it would be fully utilised.
(c) In respect of three of the petitioner Companies viz. M/s Monnet Ispat and Energy Ltd., M/s Jharkhand Ispat Ltd. and M/s Prakash Ispat Ltd., recommendations would be sent to the Central Government for grant of mining leases over areas (i.e extent) according to their requirements of area after assessment by the State Government.
(d) In respect of two of the petitioner Companies viz. M/s Adhunik Alloys and Power Ltd. and M/s Abhijeet Infrastructure Ltd., recommendations would be sent to the Central Government for grant of the same areas (i.e extent) of mining lease as earlier recommended for them, while for M/s Ispat Industries Ltd. for the time being, recommendation would be sent in respect of an undisputed area.
3. In view of the aforesaid statement, we direct the State Government to send its recommendations in terms of what has been stated above within a period of five weeks to the Central Government. The parties concerned shall comply with the requisite formalities as noted above so far as they are concerned within a period of three weeks.
4. The Central Government is requested to consider the recommendations within a period of two months from the date of receipt of the recommendations. Before recommendations in respect of the areas concerned are made to the Central Government, the inter se dispute on account of alleged overlapping shall be considered duly by the State Government in cases where the issues arise. This order shall not in any way affect those who were not parties before the High Court.
5. List these matters in the last week of April 2009.