Team Herald
PANJIM: The High Court of Bombay at Goa has asked the Goa government to accept bank guarantees from mining companies at the time of issuing or renewing the consent to operate under the Water and Air Acts in Sonshi mining matter.
While disposing the suo moto Public Interest Litigation, the bench ruled that it is the responsibility of mining companies to maintain environment related standard safety measures. The government had earlier said it would seek a bank guarantee from the mining companies and said if a mining company fails to maintain the environment standard, then the government will use the bank guarantee to assure that safety standard.
The High Court in its order also ruled that affected families of Sonshi will get adequate supply of portable water. The Court also appreciated the government’s move to get recommendations from Indian Institute of Mines about the environment related standard safety measures.
The Court directed the government to ensure the implementation of those recommendations in addition to directions given by the court.
The court also noted the report that pollution levels in Sonshi area have decreased after the court took suo motu cognisance of the Sonshi mining affected villagers.
