PANAJI: While the government has proposed to explore the possibilities of starting mining operations at the leases that do not come under the ambit of the Supreme Court order, it will have to sort out many issues before it can do so, an informed source in the mining sector said on Wednesday.
The source said that some of the issues relate to the location of leases in protected areas or within the one-km buffer zone, non-payment of stamp duty, etc. The source added that a major concern before the government is also the legality of operating the leases without violating the court order.
“The procedure for operating the leases that are not struck down by the Supreme Court may not be easy or speedy,” said the source in reaction to a suggestion made by Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari during his brief visit to the state to resolve the mining crisis.
Gadkari, during his two-day visit, had said that some mining activities need to be started to provide employment to the mining dependants. Use of mining leases outside the ambit of the Supreme Court was one of the interim suggestions and e-auction of the mining dumps was another suggestion.
Recently, the government, in reply to a question raised in the state assembly on February 22, had revealed that altogether 108 mining leases have been approved till date. This includes 91 leases that were renewed and 17 mining leases with extension granted until March 31, 2020.
The Supreme Court, through its February 7 order, quashed the renewal of 88 mining leases saying that it was hastily done and was not in the interest of mineral development. The order came into effect from March 16.
Of the 88 leases, only 38 leases were active. Currently, all extraction of ore has been halted and mining has come to a standstill in the state. The government is mulling over the option of activating the dormant leases to bypass the Supreme Court order but there are several hurdles in the process.
Meanwhile, the department of mines has permitted leaseholders to transport iron ore for exports which is outside the leasehold area and on which royalty has been paid. Transportation commenced on Wednesday from outside the leasehold area at Sulcorna to jetty and further by barges to port under official supervision.
A meeting was held at the Secretariat to take stock of the situation post mining closure. Director of mines Prasanna Acharya said that a transparent mechanism will be put in place and dynamic website will be used to provide real-time information on stock of ore extracted, dispatched and also lying in lease areas.
The meeting attended by police officials, secretary mines, both Collectors of north and south districts and deputy controller, Indian Bureau of Mines discussed security in lease areas and safety of mines. It was informed that since water pumping in mines will be for public purpose and at the cost of leaseholders, they may not be subjected to water cess.