SC permits limestone export

SHILLONG, Dec 14: The Supreme Court of India has granted permission to exporters to export limestone to Bangladesh, setting aside a November 24 order of the High Court of Meghalaya banning the same.
The Apex court ordered that each exporter will furnish a bank guarantee of Rs 75 lakh each within a week with the Registry of the SC without prejudice to the legal rights of the  parties, including the Union of India.
The court also granted permission to the Lawyerson War, the petitioner, to file special leave petitions in connection with the case.
The SC also stayed the directions issued in para 56 of the impugned HC judgment asking the state government to pay damages of Rs 2 crore which will go towards the purchase of additional equipment for cancer treatment at the specialised unit therefor installed at the Shillong Civil Hospital.
“The Accountant-General will audit and verify the purchase of equipment exclusively from the damages awarded and not from funds that may otherwise be made available by the state to the relevant unit. Such money has to be put in by the end of January, 2023,” the HC order said.