Team Herald
PORVORIM: Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant on Tuesday informed the House that there are 176 deemed mining leases, which do not fall within the ambit of the Supreme Court order, and hence can be put into operation till March 2020, after obtaining the Environment Clearance (EC).
In a written reply tabled on the Floor of the House, Sawant said there are 176 deemed mining leases which were not renewed but whose leases were extended up to March 31, 2020 in terms of section 8-A(6) of MMDR Act,1957.
“Hence, such mining leases could be operated and there is no question of renewal,” the Chief Minister said responding to a question tabled by BJP MLA Wilfred D’Sa. “However, such mining leases could be operated only after getting Environmental Clearances and other statutory clearances,” he added.
Of the 176 mining leases, the government had rejected the application of 16 leases by an order, Sawant said adding, “The order was, however, set aside by Union Mines Ministry directing the State government to give opportunity of hearing to the applicants and decide the renewal applications on merit considering the fact and the law.”
The Chief Minister said there are another three cases, where the High Court of Bombay at Goa has ruled that the application of these lease holders for second renewal be considered in accordance with the law.
Sawant had earlier said that 88 iron ore and manganese leases and one bauxite lease was renewed by the government. “However, renewals in regard to 88 iron and manganese mining leases were quashed by the Supreme Court Judgment dated February 7, 2018,” he said.
