PANJIM: The High Court of Bombay at Goa on Monday issued a notice to the State government seeking a reply to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by NGO Goa Foundation seeking directions to recover all leases as well as lease areas and minerals lying there.
The petition states that Supreme Court’s order on October 13, 2020 specifically directed that the government implement the provisions of Rule 12 (1) (hh) of the Mineral Concession Rules, 2016 post January 31, 2021. Petitioner Claude Alvares alleged that instead of issuing appropriate orders, the State government has connived with the former lease holders to enable them to continue removal of mineral ore stacked on their leases beyond the date stipulated by the Supreme Court.
A cabinet meeting held on March 25, 2021 to discuss various mining related issues had accepted the unprecedented proposal of the Director of Mines to allow transportation of ore mined prior to 2007. It took a decision to permit sale and transport of minerals from mining leases despite the apex court’s direction.
The petitioner has sought from the court quashing of this decision by the State cabinet while also pleading to direct the government to forthwith issue necessary orders taking into its possession and control all iron/manganese ore mining lease areas ‘deemed to have been granted on December 20, 1961 under Rule 12 (1) (hh) of MCR 2016 and to report compliance.’
As an interim relief, pending hearing and final disposal of the petition, the PIL urges an order staying the operation of the cabinet decision and directing the State to suspend the movement of any transport of minerals from any lease area, as per its order dated February 1, 2021, forthwith.
