TEAM HERALD
teamherald@herald-goa.com
PANJIM: Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar declared, on Wednesday, that he has given directions for signing the mining lease deeds provided that lease holders comply with all conditions and fulfill all provisions, signalling that the government is readying itself, in case the suspension on mining activities is revoked.
Parrikar clarified, “Signing of the lease deed does not imply that actual mining operations can commence.”
The signing of lease deeds will follow after all mandatory and legally binding procedures are followed, so that mining operations could begin after the apex court , hopefully, lifts its ban on mining activities in Goa, Parrikar said.
“Even if the Supreme Court lifts the ban, which I hope will be in September, it will take at least 45 to 60 days to start mining activities,” he said adding that he expects mining activity to resume in Goa by November this year.
The Supreme Court has suspended all mining activities in the state while the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests has held Environment Clearances in abeyance and is in the process of verifying documents.
Parrikar pointed out that between 20 to 30 mining leases which have been suspended by the state government in 2012 could be lifted and that each lease is being examined case by case after obtaining all clearances. These includes environment clearances from the Ministry of Environment and Forests, Indian Bureau of Mines, and air and water clearances.
Parrikar also clarified that lifting the suspension on mining leases does not absolve lease holders of
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illegalities, if committed by them.
“It only means that they are certified to begin operations after the Supreme Court judgement,” he said.
Parrikar also said if the SC verdict is favourable for resumption of mining, then only will it enable ore already taken out to be exported.
He also confirmed said that the R M S Khandeparkar Committee has been dissolved. Financial issues are to be transferred to the Lokayukta while crime violations to will be transferred to the economic cell of the crime branch and orders have also been given for formation of the SIT, he said.
