Team Herald
PANJIM: In a bid to ensure that legal sand mining activities commence at the earliest, the State government is contemplating granting provisional permits for sand extraction, after undertaking preliminary scrutiny of all documents.
During the review meeting held on September 2 under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, it was decided to bring in necessary reforms to promote Ease of Doing Business in the sector. The decision was also taken to grant sand extraction permits in River Chapora for blocks of less than five hectares to avoid public hearing, which is mandatory as per Rules for blocks above five hectares.
Directions were issued to fix responsibility against those who failed to implement the policy formulated to fix fees for the import of sand from other States to Goa in 2021, resulting in loss of revenue and promotion of illegal mining.
As per the minutes of the meeting, the Chief Minister advised the Mines Department to consider granting provisional permits for sand extraction after preliminary scrutiny, while the detailed scrutiny is underway. “This will promote economic activity on one hand and will generate more revenue for the State on the other hand,” the minutes stated
Sawant, who is also Mines Minister, directed the department to re-examine the procedural architecture for various permissions under the guidance of the Chief Secretary and bring in reforms as per the spirit of Ease of Doing Business.
During the meeting, the Chief Minister was informed about the environmental clearances granted for four different stretches in the River Chapora for undertaking sand mining, however, the permits have not been granted by the Mines Department.
“Deputy Director Mines said as per Rules, mining block above five hectares requires a public hearing and EC granted by the Environment Department has been challenged before the National Green Tribunal (NGT),” the minutes stated.
Advocate General Devidas Pangam, however, intervened and informed the Chief Minister that the NGT has not given any stay on the petition and Mines Department can go ahead to grant permits. He also said as per Rules, Mamlatdar can give sand extraction permits to communities or individuals traditionally engaged in sand extraction activity.
