the goan I network
PANAJI
Mining in Goa can be resumed immediately if the Centre amends the 1987 law, which converted Portuguese era perpetual mining concessions to leases under the Indian MMDR Act, so as to validate leases held by current leaseholders for 50 years from 1987 onwards, former Mining Engineers Association of India President T Victor said on Saturday.
Victor, who addressed a press conference on Saturday after a day-long deliberation on the issue by members of the Goa chapter of the Association, said amending the law Goa, Daman and Diu (Abolition of Concession and Declaration as Mining Leases) Act, 1987, is the “only route” by which mining in Goa can re-start quickly.
Mining in Goa was first banned in 2012 in the wake of the Shah Commission report. The ban was lifted in 2014, but re-imposed it after a Goa government process to grant second renewal to 88 leased mines this year was scrapped by it. The leases were asked to be re-issued under the Central MMDR Act which entails an auction process.
Victor said the retrospective effect clause of the 1987 law has to be amended and the leases issued from 1987 itself, ensuring their validity up until 2037.
“This is the only mode that is feasible for Goa,” Victor said, adding that there was one matter in this regard pending with the Supreme Court which is not decided.
