D.G.R.PATNAIK, J. - (1.) This application has been filed by the petitioner for issuance of a direction to the respondents to forthwith grant licence/registration to the petitioner for processing/storage/sale/trade of iron ore.
(2.) THE case of petitioner is that it is a private company engaged in the business of mining, manufacturing, processing, trading, sale and purchase of iron ores. A Circular was issued in the Department of Mines by the State of Jharkhad in 2007 directing all persons/companies engaged in the business of minerals to obtain registration from the mining department. In pursuance of the direction contained in the said circular, the petitioner filed its application on 28.5.2008 before the District Mining Officer on 28.5.2008, who directed the petitioner to furnish certain documents, including a declaration on affidavit that the petitioner (in case of a company, the Managing Director thereof) is not convicted for any offence relating to smuggling of coal and minerals. It is stated that an affidavit was filed by the Director of the petitioner company declaring that on the allegation that the petitioner did not possess the requisite registration certificate at the particular time, FIR was instituted against the Director in which he was granted bail and the trial is pending.
(3.) LEARNED Counsel for the petitioner submits that the petitioner's representatives have been persuading the Department concerned for grant of the dealer's Registration which has not been granted so far. Learned Counsel for the petitioner explains that as per the conditions stipulated in respect of grant of dealer's registration, such registration may be withheld only if the applicant has been convicted of an offence relaxing to smuggling of coal and minerals.;