Citing Supreme Court’s direction in 2020 directing the issuance of
fresh leases, Advocate General Devidas Pangam said that Government is left with
no choice but to go for fresh leases by way of auction. He pointed to advance
notice issued to lease holders about the expiry of their leases. The High Court of
Bombay at Goa is hearing a petition by former mining lease holders challenging the taking over of their leases.
Goa Govt has told the High Court it has no choice but to go for
fresh mining leases through auction. The Advocate General pointed out that the leases are appointed
from 1961 and not from 1987
Renewal granted is not granted of fresh lease, AG Devidas Pangam
told the High Court. He further said the Supreme Courts directions are binding and the
Division Bench of the High Court has accepted this
The State has to grant
fresh leases and hence no relief may be granted to this petition, AG said. Adv Norma Alvares, advocate for Goa Foundation said she finds
herself on the same side as the AG. “Not a single mining lease was in compliance with the law. They
have no environment clearance, which was struck down by the Supreme Court”, Adv
Alvares stated.
