Goemkarponn desk
PANAJI: Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant said that as per the directions of the High Court, the government has initiated the process for granting licences for Sand and Laterite Mining.
Addressing media persons post the Cabinet meeting CM Sawant said the traditional sand mining and laterite mining process has been streamlined, and both licences are being issued.
“As per the directions of the High Court, the National Institute of Oceanography has given us clearance for granting sand mining licences in Chapora river,” he said.
He said as per the approval, they have begun the process of giving licences for Chapora sand mining to whoever has applied.
He further said the NIO is yet to submit clearance on Mandovi, Zuari, and other rivers in South Goa.
“All this is being monitored by High Court. NIO report clearly states how much quantity can be extracted and from where. Permissions would be given based on that report,” Sawant stated.
About laterite stone mining, he said there are three categories.
“One where people mine in their own private land. They have to apply directly to the Mines department, take the inward copy, and apply for Environment Clearance on the government of India website parallelly, and they will get 25-30 days they will get clearance,” he stated.
He further added the second category is if someone is on government land.
“They have to apply to DMG, and they will be given a lease by DMG; this may take some time. They will have to pay the lease amount,” he added.
The third category is if someone applies for permission on Communidade land.
“On Communidade land, if the communidade has given NOC, then they should take the NOC and apply to DMG and apply for EC on the GOI website, and they will get clearance within 45 days,” he added.
