PANAJI
The High Court of Bombay at Goa has dismissed a Public Interest Litigation filed by Goa Foundation challenging the State’s 2023 iron ore dump handling policy. The order has cleared the way for implementation of the policy.
Under the policy, erstwhile mining leaseholders are permitted to handle low-grade iron ore dumps after payment of royalty and a premium fixed by the government.
Goa Foundation had challenged the policy, contending that iron ore dumps vested with the State could be disposed of only through a transparent auction process to secure the best price.
The NGO argued that the 2023 policy replaced earlier policies of 2013 and 2022 but continued to permit former miners to take possession of ore stocked outside lease areas and dispose of it after paying royalty.
It further submitted that the Supreme Court, in its April 21, 2014 judgment, had declared all mineral dumps outside lease areas illegal and vested them with the State.
During the hearing, the State government informed the court that 52 per cent of the revenue generated from the sale of low-grade iron ore dumps outside lease areas, including those on private property, would accrue to the State. The High Court had in March reserved the matter for orders.
