PANAJI
The State government has notified the amendment to the Goa Minor Mineral Concession Rules 1985, under which those involved in illegal extraction, transportation, and storage of minor minerals would face a jail term of up to two years. Additionally, they would be subject to a penalty of up to Rs five lakh, with a daily fine of Rs 50,000 for a continuing offence.
The amendment, approved by the Cabinet earlier this month, has also increased the jail term from one year to up to two years and the fine from Rs 5000 for violating the terms and conditions of a quarrying lease or permit.
In a move to streamline the lease-granting process, the government has tweaked the rules to extend the quarrying lease period from the existing 10 years to 30 years. The Directorate of Mines and Geology (DMG) would have the authority to grant leases, but government approval would be mandatory beyond this period.
Interestingly, the government has proposed to auction or utilise sand discovered during river dredging, subject to royalty payment.
Regarding transportation fees, motor vehicles with six wheels or fewer would pay Rs 800, while those with more than six wheels would pay Rs 1500 per vehicle.
Rule 63 (3) has also been amended to base the compounding of offences on mineral royalty. The penalty for the first offence would be ten times the royalty payable, and for subsequent offences, it would be 20 times the royalty.
