PANAJI
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has pinned hopes on the Supreme Court of India for early resumption of iron ore mining in Goa and said he was hopeful that the Apex Court will be in a position to decide in a few hearings.
"The review petitions filed by the government and the mining companies are being taken up at one time," Sawant told reporters in Panaji on Sunday and expressed hope that the mining imbroglio will be resolved in two or three hearings.
The two pleas -- a review petition filed by the Goa government and another petition filed by mining companies seeking validation of leases with a challenge to the law abolishing Portuguese-granted mining concessions -- are expected to be taken up by the Supreme Court of India on Monday.
Sawant said, Goa's Advocate General Devidas Pangam has already met with Solicitor General of India Tushar Mehta and has provided all the inputs needed for the Supreme Court hearing on Monday.
"We have sought (extension of mining leases) till 2027. If it turns that way, then for the next seven years, mining can be carried out in a streamlined way... finally, it is up to the court to decide, but we are hopeful," Sawant said.
Iron ore mining, a crucial economic activity for decades and on which tens of thousands of Goans are involved, has been at a standstill since the Supreme Court declared all mining leases illegal in 2018.
The Apex Court found gross irregularities in a process adopted by successive governments in 2014-15 to renew 88 leases after the same court had banned mining in 2012 in the wake of the Shah Commission Report.
The State and Central government is also exploring the legislative route to restart mining by amending the laws after the industry in Goa unanimously opposed auction of leases as mandated BY The Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957, as it currently stands.
