SC cancels mining leases of companies in Goa

Representation pic

The Supreme Court on Wednesday quashed the second renewal of iron ore mining leases given to 88 companies in Goa in 2015. The apex court directed the Centre and the Goa government to grant fresh environmental clearances to them.

It said the state was obliged to grant fresh mining leases in accordance with law, in view of its previous judgement, and not second renewals to mining lease holders. The apex court had said in previous judgements that only fresh leases were to be granted by the Goa government, not second renewals.

A bench of Justices Madan B Lokur and Deepak Gupta said mining lease holders, who have been granted a second renewal in violation of its previous decision, may continue mining operations till March 15 this year. "However, they are directed to stop all mining operations with effect from March 16, 2018 until fresh mining leases (not fresh renewals or other renewals) are granted and fresh environmental clearances are granted," the bench said.

No need to panic, says Goa CM
Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar yesterday said, "In the judgement, I understand, the court has also said that the option (to grant mining leases) was not necessarily (through) bidding (process). "That means different possibilities are open. The order does not come into effect from tomorrow so there is no need to panic."

88
No of companies whose second renewal leases were quashed

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