PANJIM: The final hearing in the iron ore transportation case, on a petition filed by Goa Foundation, began before the High Court of Bombay at Goa on Tuesday.
The Division Bench comprising Justice N M Jamdar and Justice Prithviraj Chauhan is hearing the final arguments.
When the matter came up for hearing, Goa Foundation, represented by Adv Norma Alvares, sought time to file their reply to the government affidavit, which was placed before the Court, last week. She also sought time to commence her arguments, which would be based on her reply.
The Court pulled up the petitioner over the delay, while directing that the arguments be resumed. As such, the petitioner read out the Supreme Court judgment dated February 7 that quashed and set aside the second renewal granted to 88 mining leases while directing them to stop operations from March 16.
Goa Foundation will place their final arguments before the Court on Wednesday. The government and the mining companies will also make their submission.
Goa Foundation had approached the High Court objecting to the government’s decision to allow transportation of ore dumped outside the lease area and for which royalty has been paid. It had claimed that post March 15, the ore becomes the property of the State. As an interim order, Court stopped all transportation activities.
However, the mining companies approached the Apex Court for relief, which was granted, as the court allowed transportation of ore stacked at jetties, barges and ports on or before March 15.
