PANJIM: Goa Foundation has filed an application before the Supreme Court for necessary directions to Goa Government to take effective possession of all the “active and passive” leases as well as dumps, lying outside the lease areas.
In its application filed before the Chief Justice of India on September 14, the GF has pointed out that all the 88 mining leases should have been reverted back to the State by July 31, 2020 as per the directions of the Supreme Court dated February 7, 2018 and January 30, 2020.
The application is likely to be heard next week.
“The leases must have been reverted to the Goa government by July 31. However, if the Goa government failed in performing its statutory duty, may be directed to take effective possession of all the mining lease areas in the state of Goa as well as the dumps outside the leases to itself forthwith,” the applicant prayed.
The GF has also sought clarification with regards to the Apex Court verdict dated January 30 that allowed transportation of royalty paid ore within six months. The ore identified was around 1.5 million tons.
The Foundation alleged that the State Cabinet, in complete violation of the Order, allowed transportation of even non-royalty paid ore, which is around 7.7 million tons.
