Team Herald
PANJIM: The State government’s second renewal of 88 mining leases has come under the scanner of the Accountant General Goa (AGG) who has raised questions on whether prior approval of the Indian Bureau of Mines (IBM) was sought to ascertain whether the renewal move is in the ‘interest of mineral development’.
In a letter to Directorate of Mines and Geology, Audit officer B Vijendra Pai, has sought lease-wise details of permission from IBM on ‘priority’. AGG is apparently conducting audit of the mining leases.
“Before granting approval for second renewal or subsequent renewal of a mining lease, State government shall seek a report from the Controller General, Indian Bureau of Mines, as to whether it would be in the interest of mineral development to grant the renewals of mining leases,” Pai has said in his letter dated July 30.
“A due reference to IBM under Section 24A (3) is mandatory before grant of second renewal (and subsequent renewals) of leases. Supreme Court in their judgment (in April 2014) also made this requirement mandatory,” the letter added.
Pai said that it is observed that 88 mining leases have been renewed between November 2014 and January 2015. “In this regard, it is requested that lease wise details of opinion received from IBM may be furnished on priority,” audit officer said.
AGG has sought details that include TC No and name of the lease holder, date of second renewal request letter of leaseholder, date of letter sent to IBM seeking report under Section 24A (3), date of receipt of IBM report together with their lease holder wise remark on second renewal and the date of second renewal order.
Total 88 mining leases have been renewed under Section 8(3) of the Mines and Minerals Development Regulation Act 1957. Of these, the Environment and Forest Ministry has lifted abeyance on environment clearance in regards to 72 leases.
Of the 88 leases, 61 have been allowed fresh extraction of iron ore. However, only 56 of these have been granted Consent to Operate by the Goa State Pollution Control Board for a period of one year, subject to mining plan approval from IBM.
IBM had in June inspected nine leases for approval of mining plan. Sesa Goa (6) and one each of V M Salgaocar, Fomento and Chowgules, were inspected
