PORVORIM: The State government has given clean chit to nearly 16 iron ore mining leases, operated by mining bigwigs, involved in violation of Rule 37 and 38 of the Mineral Concession Rules, 1960, as indicted by Justice M B Shah Commission.
The list tabled on the floor of the House includes the leases belonging to mining firms like Sesa Goa Ltd, M/s Chowgule and Co, M/s EMCO Goa, M/s V D Chowgule, N S Narvekar, M/s Sesa Resources Ltd, M/s Sesa Mining Corporation Ltd, VM Salgaocar and Bro Pvt Ltd and Kunda Gharse.
Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar informed the State Legislative Assembly that government has not found any kind of violation by the lease holders between 2002-2012 and hence no action has been initiated against anyone.
Parsekar was replying to a question tabled by Goa Vikas Party (GVP) Legislator Francisco Pacheco, who sought to know whether inquiry was conducted by then Mining Secretary Pawan Kumar Sain in 16 cases where violation of Rule 37 & 38 of MCR, 1960 was reported as per Justice Shah Commission Report.
Parsekar said that based on Commission report show cause notices were issued to the mining lease holders by the department of mines and geology in 2014.
As per the information furnished, Government issued order in case of all 16 leases giving clean chit to the lease holders, considering the replies of the lessee and the department.
“The show cause notice issued is replied satisfactorily and the department views are also consistent with the views of the lessee. In view of the same the proceedings may not continued further and hence dropped,” the order issued by the then secretary to all the lease holders read.
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As per Rule 37 of the MCR, the lessee shall not, without the previous consent in writing of the State Government assign, sublet, mortgage, or in any other manner, transfer the mining lease, or any right, title or interest therein.
Rule 38 speaks that the government, may in the interest of mineral development, in writing, permit amalgamation of two or more adjoining leases held by a lessee provided that the period of amalgamated leases shall be co-terminus with the lease whose period will expire first.
