Supreme Court today (7th Feb’18) in its verdict canceled the second renewal of lease granted by the state government in Goa and operations from 15th Mar’18. The honorable court further said, the setting up of a SIT comprising chartered accountants for the recovery of the amount from mining companies which were allowed to extract ores in violation of the law. The court has also directed for fresh leases will be issued only after obtaining an environment clearance. Court has given its judgment while hearing a case filed by NGO Goa Foundation.
The Goa Police filed a charge sheet in Jan’18 against former chief minister and Congress leader Digambar Kamat to overlook in renewing a mining lease that cost to state govt. The SIT had filed a case in September 2014 against Kamat. The FIR was registered on a complaint by the state’s Mines and Geology Department.
Earlier in October 2012, the apex court suspended all iron ore mining and transportation in the state based on MB Shah Commission report on illegal mining in Goa and exposes the corruption and financial irregularities.
In 2015, the state government renewed 88 mining leases, which were renewed for the second time by the Goa government in 2015 for 20 years, with retrospective effect from 2007.
For judgement, copyCLICK HERE
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