Union Of India vs Karam Chand Thapar & Brs. (Coal Sales) ...

The Supreme Court addressed the obligations of the Coal Company under the Coal Mines (Conservation and Development) Act, 1974, particularly regarding the payment of royalty for sand extracted for stowing operations. The Court held that the obligation to pay royalty is contractual, arising from the mining lease, and is owed to the Central Government as the successor of the dissolved Coal Board. The Court clarified that the Central Government has the authority to enforce compliance with the provisions of the Act, particularly Sections 3(j), 4(2), and 5(2).