PANJIM: The State government has finally decided to go ahead with auctioning the iron ore leases as per the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act and the Supreme Court directions. As an interim arrangement to bring relief to those dependent on the business for their livelihood, the government will file a review petition in the Supreme Court seeking permission to allow continuation of mining activities for a sufficient period of time.
Speaking to Herald, Cabinet Advisory Committee (CAC) member and PWD Minister Ramakrishna (Sudin) Dhavalikar said the government has decided to go for auction of mining leases. “But it is not an immediate process. It will take at least one year and till then we cannot just keep the business at a standstill,” he said.
He added, “Hence, it has been decided that we will file a review petition before the Supreme Court to allow mining activities till the auction process is initiated or for a certain period thereby ensuring revenue for the State treasury and also for people dependent on the business.”
The Minister further said that Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar, on Wednesday night, accorded approval for filing a review petition on a condition that the Supreme Court is informed that the State will go for auction and that the petition is just an interim measure.
“We cannot go against Supreme Court and the law. There is a law which talks about auction of natural resource and we have to abide by it,” he said.
“The modalities of the auction process can be worked out later. At present the biggest worry before the government is to protect the livelihood of the people who are dependent on the industry,” Dhavalikar said.
Amidst the crisis, Union Minister for Shipping and BJP in-charge Goa Nitin Gadkari will be coming to Goa on March 20 to listen to the woes of the mining dependents and to disclose Centre’s plan of action.
Iron ore mining activities in the State have been placed under suspension following the Supreme Court order that quashed second renewals given to 88 mining leases and directed them to stop operations.
