ORDER :

The issue with regard to modalities that would govern the auction of the Category 'C' mines which have been ordered to be cancelled by our judgment and order dated 18th April, 2013 passed in Writ Petition (Civil) No. 562 of 2009 [Samaj Parivartana Samudaya and others versus State of Karnataka and others] and other connected matters is being dealt with by the present order.

2. Shri Nilaya Mitash, IAS, Secretary, Commerce and Industries Department (Mines), Government of Karnataka, Bangalore is personally present in Court at the request of the Court. From the materials on record and the statement made by Shri Nilaya Mitash, Secretary, Commerce and Industries Department (Mines), Government of Karnataka, it appears that 15 of the Category 'C' mines are ready for auction. We, therefore, direct that the auction of the aforesaid mines, details of which are indicated herein below will commence immediately and stand concluded within outer limit of 32 weeks, preferably within 26 weeks with effect from today.