While reserving the order in the matter, the Court has directed mining companies and government to make written submissions in the matter, if any, July 21. Both the parties concluded arguments today.
The mining companies pleading that they have paid stamp duty for the second renewal of their leases, their applications having been kept pending since 2007 by the Directorate of Mines and Geology (DMG), hence their leases should be renewed as assured by the government. Government in 2013 had collected stamp duty of Rs 380 crore from 28 mining leases over the second renewal.
Advocate General Atmaram Nadkarni while refusing the plea had informed the High Court that all the mining leases in Goa expired on November 22, 2007.
He said that the question of renewal of existing leases does not arise once the Supreme Court has held that there is no deemed extension in a case under Section 8(3) of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulations) Act (MMDR) Act.
Government has informed the Court that the decision about renewal of mining leases will be completely dependent on the mining policy that it plans to formulate, based on the Central government’s directives and Supreme Court rulings.
The mine owners under the banner of Goa Mining Association has already filed a review petition in the Supreme Court seeking review of its judgment on renewal of leases and terming the mining leases which were given deemed approval/renewal post 2007 as “illegal”.
