TEAM HERALD
teamherald@herald-goa.com
PANJIM: The State is hoping to mop up approximately Rs 252 crore revenue from stamp duty from the notices sent to 15 mining leases to renew their leases which are outside forest areas and have been given in-principle approval by State government to renew their lease for 20 years.
The Directorate of Mines and Geology on Monday issued notice to Chowgule and Company Ltd to pay a stamp duty of Rs 5 crore for renewal of a mining lease located at Honda-Sattari.
The last date for these mining companies to make the payments is February 28.
This, mining officials say, is one of the many steps to get the mining industry to get its act together to prepare for restarting of mining, as and when the Supreme Court allows the same.
Mines have to go through 17 departments that include forest, Union Environment and others for various clearances.
A total of 337 mining lease holders, including 118 operational mines, submitted their applications for renewal or extension for a further term of 20 years.
On February 13, Mines department had issued notices to seven firms asking them to pay the stamp duty on or before February 28.
The seven leases include ~ Rajaram Bandekar mine, Sirigao (Rs 14 crore), Sociedade Timblo Irmaos, Sirigao (Rs 14 crore), Chowgule mine-Bicholim (Rs 6.99 crore), Chowgule mine-Mayem (Rs 9 crore), Sesa Goa, Cordlim (Rs 46.73 crore), Cosme Cost Pissurlem (Rs 60 crore) and Chowgule mine, Sanguem (Rs 13 crore).
Last week, another seven companies were issued notices, including Chowgule (3 leases) and VM Salgaocar (2 leases) and one lease each of Rajaram Bandekar and Sesa Goa.
In the first phase, government is likely to take up clearances for total of 42 mines, which do not require forest clearances.
