TARIKH PE TARIKH… for mining resumption : CM gives another date for resumption of Mining activities

Goemkarponn desk
PORVORIM: Chief Minister Pramod Sawant today informed teh House that the first round of auctions for iron ore mining leases is proposed to be completed in the next four months, and mining should start a month later.
“First round of auction for iron ore mining leases is proposed to be completed in the next five months,” he said.
He also said that the mining leases are clubbed and made a block for Environment Clearances.
He further said that the EC can be transferred to a fresh leaseholder, and the process will consume 15 days.
“In order to auction the mining blocks expeditiously, the State has entered into an MoU with the Mineral Exploration Consultancy Limited (MECL), a Government of India enterprise, for providing geological reports,” he said.
The chief minister said that the Directorate of Mines & Geology has set up a special auction cell to expedite the auction process.
“The government has to comply with the statutory requirements and court orders to restart the mining activity in the State. In this direction, as stated, the government has already taken concrete steps for the resumption of mining activity through auction,” he said.
CM replied to Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai’s charges that this is done to suit the likes of Adani’s mining and keep local mining companies out of the auction, believing that the local companies should get the leases as they know local conditions better.
“I will make sure that 100 per cent preference is given to local companies from in Goa on employment and trucks,” said CM Sawant.
“I can assure you that one company will only be allowed to operate a maximum of 3 mining leases or mining above the 10 square KM area,” he added.
He further said that in order to restart mining activity in the State, the government is gearing up to auction mining blocks on priority.
Replying to Cuncolim MLA Yuri Alemao on the Shah Commission report findings and recovery of illegal mining, CM said the recovery notices are to be issued to mining companies based on SIT findings. A total of 56 notices are to be issued.
Goa Forward MLA Vijai Sardesai raised the issue asking whether the state government has come up with any deadlines for the resumption of mining.
Sardesai also claimed that the mining corporation formed to resume mining operations is still not on paper.
Sardesai sought assurance from the State government that it would make it mandatory for the companies winning the auction to retain the workforce currently employed on these mining leases.