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CMO: Central Govt actively considering amendment to the Goa specific mining law
The State Government has suggested an amendment to the Goa, Daman & Diu Mining Concessions (Abolition and Declaration as Mining Leases) Act, 1987, to bring the leases in Goa at par with the rest of India. The same is under active consideration of the Central Government
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By sybil rodrigues
hief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant has stated that the amendment to the Goa, Daman and Diu Mining Concessions (Abolition and Declaration as Mining Leases) Act, 1987, as suggested by the Government of Goa, is under active consideration of the central government. A statement was released by the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO), stating that the Group of Ministers, formed by the central government, has considered the case of Goa and the concerned department has been directed to prepare a proper report on the subject. The release further said that Dr Sawant is persistently following up the issue with the central government and is optimistic about a pragmatic solution in this regard. The CMO also mentioned that there was a general perception in Goa that the chances of restarting mining were grim but the Chief Minister has a different view and he has persisted to resolve the issue. The statement added, “In the month of June 2020, the
Chief Minister held a detailed discussion with the Advocate General Devidas J Pangam for a possible solution. After an in-depth study and comprehensive discussion, it was decided that a two pronged strategy should be adopted by the state – to file a review petition against Goa Foundation II judgment delivered on February 7, 2018 by the Supreme Court, and also simultaneously pursue amendment to the Goa, Daman and Diu Mining Concessions (Abolition and Declaration as Mining Leases) Act, 1987.” The statement maintained that “accordingly, the matter was pursued in Delhi with the Central government. The central government immediately responded and a meeting of the Chief Minister, along with the Advocate General and the Chief Secretary, with the Group of Ministers consisting of the Union Home Minister, Finance Minister, Railways Minister, Mines Minister, Minister for Steel, Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas was held on 8th July,
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20 | Business Goa industry Dossier | september 2020
country are beneficiaries of two renewals under the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, whereas the mining leases in Goa are singled out by giving benefit of only one renewal. It further indicated that there cannot be such a distinction between the mining leases in the rest of the country and the mining leases in Goa under the same Act. It was also specified that
Dr Pramod Sawant
The mining leases in the rest of the country are beneficiaries of two renewals under the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation Act, whereas the mining leases in Goa are singled out by giving benefit of only one renewal 2019. A presentation was made before the Group of Ministers in the said meeting.” It was highlighted in the meeting that the mining leases in the rest of the
Goa Foundation II judgment has resulted in discrimination between Goa and the rest of the country. Accordingly, to do away with this conspicuous imbalance, the Goa, Daman and Diu Mining Concessions (Abolition and Declaration as Mining Leases) Act, 1987, be suitably amended to redress the discrimination. The State Government has also taken severe measures to prevent pollution and environmental harm. An authoritarian surveillance is kept on transportation of ore by means of software. The quantity of ore transported is strictly monitored, trucks are properly weighed and pollution is measured by setting up of monitoring stations. The CMO added that Dr Sawant is aware of the fact that more than three lakh people are affected by the mining ban and the economy of the state is largely dependent on mining. It is, therefore the venture of the Chief Minister to give reassurance to the people, who have been adversely affected and also revive the economy of the state. Dr Sawant mentioned that he is committed to resuming mining activities and restart economic activities in the mining belt at the earliest. The statement read “It is the vision of the Chief Minister to start mining activities in the next 3 to 4 months in accordance with the law and by keeping in mind all environmental norms”
