Kozhikode: The campaign led by local residents in and around Chakkittappara is reaping results, as the state government recently rejected the revision application submitted by mining firm MSPL for an extension of time to comply with the conditions for grant of mining lease.
In the government order signed by Niranjan K. Singh, joint-secretary and revisionary authority, it states that through the impugned order, the state government refused further extension to comply with the conditions stipulated in the LOI and withdrew the in-principle approval issued on April 23, 2014, for grant of mining lease for 30 years. MSPL had on July 28, 2016 challenged the government order regarding the mining of iron ore in Chakkittappara, Mavoor and Kakkoor in the district.
The state government had sent the petitions to the Centre for study in 2009 and the latter approved mining in an area of 406.45 ha seeking prior approval from the state government. However to give the final approval, the firm failed to obtain statutory approval that was needed. Following this, the state government issued a show-cause notice to cancel the mining lease.
The state-government also sought reports from the Revenue, Forest and Wildlife, Mining and geology departments. Based on their reports, the government decided to cancel the in-principle approval.
The people’s committee including all-party members had staged a massive agitation against the mining firm.
