TEAM HERALD
If you enjoyed reading this article, you can help support our journalism by adding OHeraldo as a preferred source.
PANJIM: Forty two working and non working leases which do not require forest clearances for operations, would be taken up for renewal in the first phase, mines officials said on Tuesday.
Of the total 42 leases, 37 are working mines while five are non-working mines. Out of a total 337 mining lease operators, including 118 operational mines operators, had submitted their applications for renewal or extension for a further term of 20 years.
Assistant Director of Mines and Geology Parag Nagarcekar said the department has identified a total of 42 mining leases which do not fall under any forest or protected areas and hence does not require any forest clearance. “Of this, we will also have to see how many had applied for renewal on time, that is months prior to expiry of the lease,” he added.
The list includes names of mining majors such as Damodar Mangalji, Chowgule & Company, V M Salgaoncar, Cosme Costa & Sons, G N Agarwal, Sociedade Timblo Irmaos, Sesa Goa, Kunda Gharse, R S Shetye & Bros, Bandekar Bros, Rajaram Bandekar, V G Keni, N S Narvekar and others.
Meanwhile of these 42 leases, seven lease holders have already been asked to pay the stamp duty for renewal of their leases by February 28 from which revenue amounting to Rs 161 crore is expected.
As per the Indian Stamp (Goa amendment) Act 2012, notified in December 2012, it is mandatory for the mine owners to pay 15 per cent of the amount of royalty on the mining extract for next 20 years while renewing their lease.
