PANJIM: 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, the State government in its review petition before Supreme Court, 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 on Wednesday, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said that government has urged the Supreme Court for fast tracking of the hearing in the review petition.
“We have submitted all the necessary data. We have informed the court that one lakh people have been directly affected due to mining ban while over four lakh are indirect sufferers of the ban. In view of this we have asked for fast tracking of the case,” Sawant said adding that the Apex Court while imposing ban on mining in February 2018, did not take into consideration the important issue of livelihood of the people dependent on the business.
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.
Sawant informed that the 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.
“Our review petition is based on these major grounds,” he said expressing confident of getting relief from the Court.
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.
