Moratorium on mining leases, renewals to continue pending redrafting of MMRD Act
HERALD REPORTER
PANJIM, DEC 9
The moratorium on the further mining leases and renewals is expected to continue for a longer time as the state government is till waiting for redrafting of Mines and Minerals Development and Regulation Act (India) (MMRD) by centre.
Goa Environment Protection Council, which met at Raj Bhavan today, was told by the State government that the mining policy could be finalised only after centre redraft MMRD act.
“There is no point in finalising the mining policy when MMRD act is undergoing change,” Chief Minister Digambar Kamat told the council.
The meeting which was chaired by Governor Dr S S Sidhu was attended by Kamat, Environment Minister Alexio Sequiera, Chief Secretary Sanjay Srivastava, National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) director Dr Shetye, Goa State Pollution Control Board director Simon D’souza, environmentalist Dr Nandkumar Kamat and others.
Union Ministry of Environment and Forest (MoEF) had put moratorium on further mining leases and its renewals asking the state government to draft its mining policy.
Sources stated that Chief Minister told the Council that Goa does not want to finalise its mining policy as it should not be in contradiction to MMRD act.
During the meeting, Governor expressed his concern over the after effects of climatic change on Goa and emphasized the need for formulation of the State Action Plan to protect and conserve the environment of the state.
He said that NIO has been asked to submit the exact situation on Goa’s coast.
“NIO is preparing the report. Also the institute will identify the spots where extreme impact of climate can happen,” sources stated.
The Council suggested that situation like 35 cm of rain in just seven hours that lashed Canacona on October 2, 2009, should be studied with scientific perspective.
“Governor suggested that the reaction time of government machinery in case of calamities has to be decreased,” sources added.
The Council also deliberated on the proposal of contractor for removing M/V River Princess at Candolim.
“The contractor has asked for one acre of land to dump the scrap after ship is cut. The government has been asked to provide the required land,” sources said.
The CM told Council that the Centre and Planning Commission has been asked to release necessary funds to meet the cost of removal of the vessel.
The Council suggested the need to have a rain water harvesting project at each village level.
The Governor also expressed gratitude to the government for finalizing Regional Plan (RP) 2021, for Canacona and Pernem talukas.
The meeting was informed that RP in respect of all talukas will be notified by 2011.
“The CM has informed the Council that by December 31, RP would be finalised for two more talukas,” sources said adding that the names of the talukas were not disclosed.
