A stand to this effect was taken by state's Advocate General Ashok Haranahalli before a Division bench headed by Chief Justice K S Khehar, which heard a batch of petitions filed by mines owners challenging the ban on export of iron ore and suspension of issue of transport permits.
The Minerals Regulation and Transportation Rule stipulate a validity for transport permits for seven days and the mines owners wanted it be extended to 12 days, counsel for the petitioners D L N Rao submitted.
Intervening, Justice Khehar suggested that the government consider extending the permits with nine day validity and it was agreeable to the state, but not to the petitioners. The bench adjourned the hearing to tomorrow.