Team Herald
PANJIM: Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Tuesday said that the review petition on iron ore mining ban, will come up for hearing in Supreme Court before December 15, this year.
Banking on the Mines and Minerals Development and Regulation (MMDR) (Amendment) Act 2015, which has extended the life of iron ore mining leases for a period of 50 years, Goa government in its review petition, filed last week, has pleaded for fast-tracking of the case.
Government has also highlighted the plight of nearly five lakh population, dependent on mining industry, directly or indirectly, who are now rendered jobless and hence fighting for livelihood.
Speaking to media persons, Sawant said that the matter before Supreme Court will come up for hearing before December 15.
Supreme Court through a judgement dated February 7, 2018, in a petition filed by Goa Foundation, quashed second renewals granted to 88 mining leases terming it as illegal. While imposing ban on mining activities from March 16 onwards, the Apex Court directed State to initiate process for granting fresh leases.
Government in its review petition had pointed out that Supreme Court in its judgment did not take into consideration Section 8 of MMDR Act on life of leases nor did the Goa, Daman and Diu (Abolition and Declaration of Mining leases) Act was considered. The Section 8 of the MMDR Act, pertaining to periods for which mining leases are granted or renewed.
The petition states that as per Section 8A of the MMDR Act, which was not taken into account, all mining leases in the country should be valid for 50 years, and hence accordingly, for Goa, they should be valid till 2037.
State has prayed that Court should take into account the MMDR Section allowing mining leases to continue operation till 2037.
