CM ‘positive’ on resumption of mining activities

Team Herald

PANJIM: Expecting a positive outcome from Supreme Court towards resumption of iron ore mining activities in the State, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Thursday said that the appeal filed by a mining company (challenging 1987 mining abolition act), is likely to be heard by the Apex court on January 8, 2020. 

Vedanta had moved Supreme Court challenging 1987 law that abolished mining concessions granted by the Portuguese government. Union Mines Ministry, had in March, filed interlocutory application (IA) for an early hearing in the batch of matters related to Goa, Daman and Diu (Abolition and Declaration of Mining Leases)Act 1987. Goa Mining People’s Front had also filed IA in the matter. 

Speaking to media persons at the sidelines of Goa Liberation Day celebration programme, Sawant said that considering the present situation in the country and matters related to it (CAA and NCR), Supreme Court has postponed mining matter till January 8, 2020. 

“If hearing had to take place in the matter, there would have been some relief. Our petition, challenging closure of mining industry, would have been heard,” he said. 

“Our deadline to resume mining activities is now delayed further. But the way we have presented the case, we are confident of some positive outcome,” Chief Minister stated. 

Government had set December-end deadline to resume mining activities in the State. 

Sawant, who was in Delhi on Wednesday, had called on Union Home Minister Amit Shah with regards to mining and political issues. “I had discussion with Amit Shah on mining and political decisions,” he said without disclosing any details of the meeting. 

Earlier, in his Liberation Day speech, the Chief Minister said to ensure resuming of mining activities, government has been making several efforts through Supreme Court and Central governments. 

“I am confident and assure the people that mining industry will resume at the earliest,” he added. 

Further, the Chief Minister admitted that State’s financial position is not very sound and efforts are made to improve it. “Due to various reasons, State’s financial position has been affected. Government is making various efforts to improve the situation and in coming days, we will see some results,” he added.