Focus Goa: Mining

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 country are beneficiaries of Goa Foundation II judgment two renewals under the Mines has resulted in discrimination and Minerals (Development between Goa and the rest of and Regulation) Act, whereas the country. the mining leases in Goa are Accordingly, to do singled out by giving benefit away with this conspicuous of only one renewal. imbalance, the Goa, Daman It further indicated and Diu Mining Concessions that there cannot be such (Abolition and Declaration as a distinction between the Mining Leases) Act, 1987, be mining leases in the rest of suitably amended to redress the country and the mining the discrimination. leases in Goa under the same The State Government has Act. It was also specified that also taken severe measures

By sybil rodrigues Chief Minister held a detailed to prevent pollution and

Chief Minister Dr Pramod discussion with the Advocate environmental harm. An Sawant has stated that General Devidas J Pangam authoritarian surveillance is the amendment to the Goa, for a possible solution. kept on transportation of ore Daman and Diu Mining After an in-depth study and by means of software. The Concessions (Abolition and comprehensive discussion, quantity of ore transported Declaration as Mining Leases) it was decided that a two is strictly monitored, trucks Act, 1987, as suggested by the pronged strategy should be are properly weighed and Government of Goa, is under adopted by the state – to file pollution is measured by active consideration of the a review petition against setting up of monitoring central government. Goa Foundation II judgment stations.

A statement was released delivered on February 7, The CMO added that Dr by the Chief Minister’s Office 2018 by the Supreme Court, Sawant is aware of the fact that (CMO), stating that the Group of Ministers, formed and also simultaneously pursue amendment to the Dr Pramod Sawant more than three lakh people are affected by the mining ban by the central government, Goa, Daman and Diu Mining The mining leases and the economy of the state is has considered the case of Concessions (Abolition in the rest of largely dependent on mining. Goa and the concerned and Declaration as Mining the country are It is, therefore the venture of department has been directed Leases) Act, 1987.” beneficiaries of two the Chief Minister to give to prepare a proper report on The statement maintained renewals under the reassurance to the people, 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 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 Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation Act, whereas the mining leases in Goa are singled out by giving benefit of only one renewal 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 in Goa that the chances of Group of Ministers consisting 2019. is the vision of the Chief restarting mining were grim of the Union Home Minister, A presentation was made Minister to start mining but the Chief Minister has Finance Minister, Railways before the Group of Ministers activities in the next 3 to 4 a different view and he has Minister, Mines Minister, in the said meeting.” months in accordance with persisted to resolve the issue. Minister for Steel, Minister It was highlighted in the the law and by keeping in

The statement added, “In for Petroleum and Natural meeting that the mining mind all environmental the month of June 2020, the Gas was held on 8th July, leases in the rest of the norms”

Advertise with the Choice of Industry Captains