PANJIM: A solution to the mining crisis in the State is expected to get a proper direction on Thursday when MLAs from the mining areas will meet Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar with suggestions on extending the life of existing leases till 2037 by promulgating an ordinance.

Iron ore mining activities in the State are under suspension since March 16, after the Supreme Court quashed and set aside second renewals granted to 88 mining leases in the State terming it as “illegal”. 

The Chief Minister, who has taken charge of the State administration after his return from USA, has called for a meeting of MLAs from the mining belt, the Advocate General and officials of Directorate of Mines and Geology (DMG) on Thursday to discuss and work out a solution for the immediate resumption of mining activities in the State.

“It is a complicated issue which has arisen out of the judgment of the Supreme Court, so remedy has to be carefully thought of,” Parrikar had said listing it as one of his priority. 

Speaking to media persons, MGP Sanvordem MLA Deepak Pawaskar confirmed that the meeting has been called and said, “Resumption of mining activities, financial support to mining dependents and utilisation of district mineral funds, are the issues that will be discussed in the meeting.”

When queried further, Pawaskar said that MLAs from the mining belt are of the strong view that the government should press for an ordinance to amend the Goa Daman and Diu Mining Concession (Abolition and Declaration as Mining Leases) Act, 1987, thereby giving an extension to the existing leaseholders till 2037.

“Goa’s mining activities are on since the Portuguese era and concessions were granted during that period, while the Central’s Mines and Minerals Development 

Act came into force in 1957. Based on that the Supreme Court suspended mining operations in Goa,” Pawaskar explained.

He said that since the Central government wanted to abolish concessions and bring Goa under MMDR Act, it abolished concessions in 1987. “As such, the leases came into force in 1987 and considering the 50 years life span, the lease are valid till 2037,” the MLA said.  

“But the final decision will be taken by the CM in consultation with AG,” Pawaskar said adding, “The filing of review petition is also in process.”