TEAM HERALD
PANJIM: Mining lease owners have been given a fourth and final extension till March 31, to convert their land, which was used to dump rejected ore, failing which the unclaimed ore would be confiscated and auctioned by the government.
Government has amended the Land Use policy by further extending the deadline for applying for conversion of land use presently utilized for stacking of mining rejects or like material and for all other activities as provided under the Land Revenue Code till March 31, in a notification issued Monday.
The earlier extension expired January 3.
Sources said that several mine owners had made representation to the government asking for extension and accordingly government decided on a month’s extension.
To regulate the of iron ore rejects in private and government property and to ban creation of additional dumps in the state and encroachments for dumps, government in September had notified land use policy. Necessary amendment was made to the Land Revenue Code (Amendment) Act, 2013.
Initially, the last date for submission of claims was October 3, which was extended till November 3.
Due to lack of response, government further extended the deadline to December 10 and then to January 3.
Nearly 65 mining lease holders have applied for conversion.
Government aims to earn around Rs 300 crore. As per the policy, five years would be given to the firm to clear the dumps and restore the land to its original state.
Sources said that several mine owners had made representation to the government asking for extension and accordingly a month’s extension was granted.
