New Delhi, Jul 14 (IANS): The Supreme Court on Tuesday sought a response from the Centre on a plea by the Jharkhand government challenging the decision to auction coal mines for commercial mining.

A bench of Chief Justice S A Bobde and Justices R Subhash Reddy and A S Bopanna gave four weeks to the Centre to reply on the petition and an original suit filed by the Jharkhand government challenging the Centre's decision on commercial mining.

Senior advocates Abhishek Manu Singhvi and Fali S Nariman, represented the Jharkhand government.

Chief Justice Bobde told Nariman "very happy to see you. We were told you were resisting appearing on video conferencing." Nariman replied "Yes yes my lords!"

Nariman replied that this plea was adjourned, and he would like to make short submissions.

The state government has alleged that it was not consulted in the process of making this announcement.

Chief Justice Bobde noted that the bench is inclined to issue notice on the matter and hear it on injunction and list it as early as possible.

He told Nariman, "we also want to indulge in the audacity of correcting you. This is not a virtual court but a real court hearing."

Nariman urged the bench to list the matter before August 18. The bench said it will list the matter after four weeks and will give a date later.