Union Minister of State (independent charge) for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Anil Madhav Dave informed Goa Rajya MP, Shantaram Naik that a a total of 25 mine leases have been issued notices in Goa.
In his written reply, the Minister said that in a case filed by Shankar Jog and others versus Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change pending in the National Green Tribunal, Pune concerning the validity to the environmental clearances issued to mine leases in Goa, a total of 25 mine leases have been issued notices.
The reply further stated that in another civil application, the Supreme Court vide order dated July 12, 2016 has held that the original environmental clearance granted to the project vide Ministry's order dated November 25, 2005 was valid for two years.
This condition of validity of two years was deleted by order dated October 18, 2007 without following the due process envisaged under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, the Minister said.
The Minister further said that with the above observation, the Apex Court has quashed the EC granted to the project and directed the Ministry to complete the process of grant of fresh EC in three months time. The ministry is processing the case of EC in the above matter accordingly.
The case filed in NGT has raised the same issue in another 25 cases in Goa, and that the case is under consideration of NGT.
In case of violation, action can be taken under section 15 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 and Competent Authority can also issue directions under section 5 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, it was stated.
