CM for penalty & not recovery, but admits all mines were illegal post-2007
GOANEWS & PTI, PANAJI | 22 April 2014 21:40 IST
Rather than recovering total amount of profits made by mine owners from 2007 onwards, chief minister Manohar Parrikar is thinking of working out a mechanism like imposing penalty, ‘or any other method.’
He also said that a new structure would be devised to renew the mining leases and the officers have been directed to work out the options possible.
As per the Supreme Court’s order delivered, all the mining leases, around 118, working after 2007 were considered illegal.
It means that the iron ore extracted, transported and exported for five years, from 2007 to 1012, was a complete illegal activity.
“The Supreme Court order on iron ore extraction has rendered all mining leases in Goa "illegal" and the State Government will have to put in place a mechanism to legalise them”, said Parrikar today.
He said the Government is not inclined to follow the first-cum-first-serve principle and a transparent policy will be put in place to offer the mines for operation.
The apex court yesterday lifted an 18-month-old ban on mining in Goa, but put an annual production cap of 20 million tonnes.
It also passed a slew of directions for the Centre and Goa Government for strictly regulating mining activities till an expert panel, set up by it, submits its final report.
Post-order, the State will have to formulate a policy to decide the fate of these mines, besides giving legal status for the ore which was exported through these leases for five years (from 2007), Parrikar said.
The court said the mining leases which were working on the deemed renewal clause after 2007 stand cancelled. The order also implies that the ore extracted after 2007 from these leases is a state property.
“Since the Goa Government had not renewed any lease, except one, after 2007 all the mines in the State have been rendered illegal as per the ruling”, he asserted.
Parrikar hinted at filing FIRs against the mine owners who went ahead with the extraction of ore without renewing their mining leases after 2007.
The lease period of 10 years for all the mines had expired in 2007 after which the owners were supposed to apply for extension, but they continued operation without renewal.
Parrikar said after the court order all mines have become null and void as there was no lease renewal in 2007.
Responding to a question, the Chief Minister said the policy will decide whether to auction these leases or take another route to give them for operations.
"Letting them cannot be on the principle of first-cum- first-served basis. There will be a clear policy that will take into consideration many things. I have told my officers to work out a policy which is transparent. There should not be any discretion even with me," he said.
Parrikar assured that a new structure to deal with mining leases would be put in place by June.
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Previous Comments
@N.Fernandes. Congress & BJP Are Enemy In Front Of Public. But In Reality They Are One. Both Are Corrupt Parties. Their Hidden Agenda Is Mopa Airport & Illegal Mining. AAP Is The Only Hope For Honest Goans.
- Jose Rod, Goa | 24 th April 2014 18:50
AAP Should Demand, First Recover 35 Thousand Corers And Then Re-Start Mining. Mining Income Must Go In The Hands Of Goans Through Swaraj Act.
- Jose Rod, Goa | 23 rd April 2014 13:46
Once Mr Parrikar is fed with a few crores rupees for either himself,his MLA`s or his Party, by the illegal miners,all his statements for public consumption will become void.
Put another way around, this will be another of his now legendary U-Turns.
Going by the feelers around Goa,Goans today ,do not "trust" Mr Parrikar anymore.
He is known to say one thing but (Practice) do another.
He is what intellectuals will call a "Political Deviant" . He is well known, to deviate from the real truth and find ways to colour his deviations.
- N.Fernandes, London | 23 rd April 2014 12:46
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