The legal representative of the mining companies implicated in Gidawom mining case said they will appeal to the Supreme Court. He said he will not be able to divulge more information than this at this juncture.
The High Court’s Verdict last week, upholding the district’s court verdict, had said three mining companies; Taktshang Stone Quarry, RSA and Riverview Mining Company pay compensation of Nu 745,530 to eight households of Gidawom for damages caused by the blasts from mining.
The mining companies had appealed to the High Court in April, this year after they were not satisfied with the district court’s verdict.
Of the 29 households, who had appealed, the Thimphu District Court found only eight were affected.
Four mining companies, including Nortak Mining Company, were also asked to maintain and blacktop the road till their quarry sites. They have also been asked to ensure supply of drinking and irrigation water.
The verdict has directed one of the mining companies to relocate a holy site to a temple in the community.
However, the community members said they are yet to see changes despite two verdicts.
“The district court took more than a year to pass the judgment. We agreed with the judgment. But, the mining companies appealed to the High Court,” said one of the community’s representative of Gidawom, Ugyen Younten.
He said most of their time is being wasted running to the courts. “It seems like passing judgment is just for a namesake.”
According to the Civil and Criminal Procedure Code of Bhutan while the appeal is pending, all awards for damages and other settlements related to the court’s decisions shall be held in abeyance and any injunctions or temporary restraining order shall be maintained.
