Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, said that the amendment to the Goa, Daman and Diu Mining Concessions (Abolition and Declaration as Mining Leases) Act, 1987, as suggested by the Government of Goa, is under active consideration of the central government.
A statement was released by the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO), stated that the Group of Ministers, formed by the central government, has considered the case of Goa and the concerned department has been directed to prepare a proper report on the subject.
The report further said that Sawant is persistently following up the issue with the central government and is optimistic about a pragmatic solution in this regard. The CMO also mentioned that there was a general perception in Goa that the chances of restarting mining were desolate but the Chief Minister has a different view and he had persisted in resolving the issue.
A statement said, “In the month of June 2020, he held a detailed discussion with the newly appointed Advocate General Devidas J Pangam for a possible solution. After an in-depth study and comprehensive discussion, it was decided that a two-pronged strategy should be adopted by the state viz., to file a review petition against Goa Foundation II judgment delivered on February 7, 2018, by the Supreme Court, and also simultaneously pursue an amendment to the Goa, Daman and Diu Mining Concessions (Abolition and Declaration as Mining Leases) Act, 1987.”
The statement maintained that “accordingly, the matter was pursued in Delhi with the Central government. The central government immediately responded and a meeting of the Chief Minister, along with the Advocate General and the Chief Secretary, with the Group of Ministers consisting of the Union Home Minister, Finance Minister, Railway Minister, Mines Minister, Minister for Steel, Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas was held on 8th July 2019. A presentation was made before the Group of Ministers in the said meeting.”
It was highlighted in the said meeting that the mining leases in the rest of the country are beneficiaries of two renewals under the MMDR Act, whereas the mining leases in Goa are singled out by giving the benefit of only one renewal.
It further indicated that there cannot be such a distinction between the mining leases in the rest of the country and the mining leases in the state of Goa under the same Act. It was also specified that Goa Foundation II judgment has resulted in discrimination between Goa and the rest of the country.
Accordingly, to do away with this conspicuous imbalance, the Goa, Daman and Diu Mining Concessions (Abolition and Declaration as Mining Leases) Act, 1987, be suitably amended to redress the discrimination.
The Government of Goa has also taken severe measures to prevent pollution and environmental harm. Authoritarian surveillance is kept on the transportation of ore by means of software. The quantity of ore transported is strictly monitored, trucks are properly weighed and pollution is measured by setting up monitoring stations.
The CMO added that Sawant is aware of the fact that more than three lakh people are affected by the mining ban and the economy of the state is largely dependent on mining. It is, therefore the venture of the Chief Minister to give reassurance to the people, who have been adversely strained and also revive the economy of the state.
Sawant mentioned that he is committed to resuming mining activities and restart economic activities in the mining belt at the earliest.
The statement said, “It is the vision of the Chief Minister to start mining activities in the next 3 to 4 months in accordance with the law and by keeping in mind all environmental norms.”
