Team Herald
PANJIM: Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) has issued show cause notices to 54 iron ore mining lease holders for alleged violation of conditions laid down in the Consent to Operate granted under Air and Water Pollution Acts.
Following a Supreme Court order dated February 7, quashing second renewals of 88 mining leases, the board had revoked the consent granted to around 60 leases. The board had last month inspected the leases to ascertain if they were involved in any violation during the operational period or period from February 7 to March 15, a day before the mining operations were suspended.
Sources reveal that after studies of all mines, the Board observed that nearly 54 leases were involved in some or other minor violations of the condition of consent. “The Board has issued notices to the 54 lease holders asking them why the bank guarantees made by them assuring no pollution should not be forfeited,” sources said. The Board has granted them 15 days to submit their reply.
While granting Consent to Operate to the leases, the Board has sought bank guarantees from the lessees, which was based on the area of the lease.
