TEAM HERALD
PANJIM: With Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar announcing that the suspension of mining leases would be probably lifted on a case to case basis, the Directorate of Mines and Geology has initiated the process of renewing around 26 mining leases ~ including 10 of Sesa Goa, which were due for renewal since 2007.
The move, however, would not change the situation on the ground, till the Supreme Court lifts its ban on mining operations imposed in October 2012 and the environment clearances that are held in abeyance by Ministry of Environment and Forests, are cleared.
All these 26 mining leases are ‘outside the forest area’ and have already paid stamp duty towards renewal of the leases for a period of 20 years, officials said.
Government has already collected around Rs 324 crore in the form of stamp duty from some leases.
A senior Mines department official said that the stamp duty was collected from those mines, whose documentations were cleared by State government appointed committee. “These mines are clear as far as their activity is concerned. But if there are any minor irregularities found in these mining leases later, the government will act,” the official said adding that of the total 26 mining leases, Sesa Goa has 10 mines awaiting renewal.
Last year, the Manohar Parrikar
government had amended the Indian Stamp Duty Act charging 15 per cent duty on the amount of projected royalty for over 20 years. The leases of around 337 mines expired in 2007 and had applied for second renewal. However, the renewal was not done and hence they were operating under deemed provision.
The State Cabinet on Wednesday appointed Director of Mines Prasanna Acharya as the nodal officer for renewal of mining leases. Government has also recommended cancellation of 118 mining leases, which failed to apply for second renewal.
Leases for renewal
Sesa Goa mines bearing TC No 126/53, 70/52, 71/52 (Kodlem), 11/41, 12/41, 13/41, 14/41, 15/41 (Bicholim, Shirgao) would be renewed along with Cosme Costa mine ~ 110/53 (Pissurlem), Litopferao ~ 89/52 (Bicholim). Similarly V M Salgaoncar owned mines ~ 50/53 (Sanguem), 13/55 (Shirgao), 83/52 and 29/54 (Surla) would be taken up for renewal. Other mining leases include ~ Chowgule ~ 5/49, 13/49 (Shirgao), 41/53 and 98/52 (Sattari), Timblo ~ 61/53 (Sanguem), 45/52 and 88/52, Bandekar Brothers ~ 84/52 and 8/61 (Bicholim), and G Parulekar ~ 55/51 (Pissurlem).
