24 Mar 2018 | 05:59am IST
Transportation of ore violates SC judgement: Goa Foundation
Suggests government being process to transport 750 million tonnes of dumped ore rejects; Says it will ensure business for truck owners for 10 years
PANJIM: Goa Foundation (GF), the petitioner in the mining case in the Supreme Court, has termed the ongoing exercise of transportation of iron ore lying outside lease bound areas that has been permitted by Mines Department, as “corrupt” and in “violation” of the Apex Court judgment. It has opined that the government should take steps to transport the 750 million tonnes of iron ore rejects, lying in the form of dumps, to ensure business for those dependent on the industry.
The foundation, which has initiated an inquiry into the illegal transportation of ore, has accused the State government and Mines Department of colluding with leaseholders thereby continuing to promote illegal mining activities.
Based on the Advocate General’s (AG) opinion, Mines department has allowed transportation of iron ore, lying outside lease areas and for which royalty was paid by the lease holders. The AG had opined that minerals extracted prior to March 15 on which royalty has already been paid and taken out from the lease area, would legitimately belong to the leaseholder and therefore can be allowed to be transported.
Speaking to media persons, GF Director Claude Alvares said, “Supreme Court has made it very clear that mining operations cannot be allowed outside the lease area. It has also said that minerals cannot be dumped outside lease area. So, how in this case, have you allowed three-four leaseholders to dump their material outside the lease and now be transported,” he questioned.
“It is a complete collusion between government, mines department and the mine owners. We are currently studying the matter and have sought information under RTI. Once we get it, we will file a formal complaint,” Alvares said.
“Post the ban, the ore lying outside the lease area also belongs to the government and not to lease holders,” he clarified.
Alvares said that GF has already proposed to the government that it should take steps to allow transportation of 750 million tonnes of iron ore rejects, lying in the form of dumps. “That dump is enough to take care of truck owners for at least ten years. Government should start the process,” he said.
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Review petition will be futile,
BJP must own up mining mess
Goa Foundation claims that the review petition the government intends to file before the Supreme Court in the lease renewal matter will not fetch any result but will delay the process of restarting mining activities in the State. GF demanded that BJP take responsibility for the mess in the mining sector and step down. “I am not saying vote for Congress as both parties are corrupt. But look for a new option,” GF Director Claude Alvares said. “BJP is just trying to fool the people by a review petition. Review petitions generally do not stand before the Supreme Court. Why will the Supreme Court allow 88 mining leases to continue operations, when the Court itself has observed it as a corrupt practice?” he said. “If government doesn’t apply its mind and think in the right direction then mining will never start. In fact, people itself will demand that they don’t want mining,” he commented. He demanded that the government start mining by any mode like auction, or forming a corporation but it will have to ensure that not a single mine goes into the hands of existing lease holders.
