CM gives ‘go-ahead’ for review plea on mining

Team Herald

PANJIM: Not adhering to the legal opinion provided by the senior counsels and the State Advocate General, Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar has given a go ahead for filing review petition in the Supreme Court, seeking amendment to its order, quashing second renewal granted to 88 iron ore mining leases. 

Additional Solicitor General Atmaram Nadkarni, Senior Counsel Harish Salve and Advocate General Dattaprasad Lawande had opined government not to go ahead with the review petition as there is very little scope. 

However, the Chief Minister has decided to go ahead with the review petition, which is likely to be filed next month through Attorney General of India. The note in this regard was circulated to the members of Cabinet Advisory Committee (CAC) on Thursday. 

CAC member and Minister Francis D’Souza confirmed that the Chief Minister has given his green signal for filing the review petition in the Supreme Court. “The review petition will be filed as soon as possible. We will submit the file to Attorney General, who will file it on behalf of State,” he said. 

Since D’Souza was travelling, he was not in position to spell out details of the review petition but said “our plea is to allow mining 

operations till we work out modalities for auction of leases”. 

Sources revealed that Government will seek an amendment to the February 7 order to allow mining activities to continue in the State till finalisation of auction process. “Government is banking on the fact that sudden closure of mining operations has led to over two lakh people, dependent on the industry directly or indirectly, jobless. Also State economy is affected,” sources said.

“Government will also inform that it is ready to auction the leases,” sources said, adding ‘government will also impress upon allowing transportation of ore, lying outside and on the leases to ensure business for the dependents’. 

Supreme Court via an order dated February 7 quashed and set aside the second renewal granted to 88 iron ore mining leases, while directing them to stop operations post March 15. Accordingly, all the activities, except transportation of ore lying at jetties and barges, are under suspension. 

Apex Court while modifying the order on April 4, allowed the ore stacked at jetties, barges and ports, to be transported.