In Court

More trouble for mining barons: The Union environment ministry has told the Supreme Court it is of the view that a survey should be done to measure the mine lease area of the Obulapuram Mining Company owned by Karnataka ministers, G Janardhana Reddy and G Karunakara Reddy. The ministry, in its affidavit, said the survey ought to be done by an independent central organization like the Forest Survey of India. The move comes a fortnight after the Supreme Courts Central Empowered Committee said the company was carrying out illegal mining operations on the Andhra Pradesh-Karnataka border.

Polythene ban challenged: The Supreme Court, on November 20, issued notice to Delhi Government on a petition filed by plastic manufacturers challenging the ban imposed on the use of polythene bags in Delhi. The petitioners contended that polythene does not damage the environment.