APEX COURT RULING
* It is categorically stated by learned counsel for the petitioners that the iron ore which is sought to be loaded on the vessels in the Port area in Goa is 'royalty-paid' and it was removed and brought to the jetties on or before 15th March 2018* Under these circumstances, we are of the view that the iron ore which is royalty paid and which is lying on the jetties on or before 15th March 2018 should be permitted to be loaded so that they can be transported to their destinations
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THE PETITIONERS
* Fomento Resources and Sociedade de Fomento Industrial Ltd and Vedanta approached the Supreme Court* The two mining leaseholders sought directions from the court to allow transport of ore that was already in transit
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FLASHBACK
* The top court had given time till March 15 to mining lease holders, who were granted a second renewal in violation of its previous directions, to manage their affairs* The verdict had come on a petition filed by NGO Goa Foundation, challenging the Goa government's order in 2015 for a second renewal of 88 mining leases
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PANAJI: The Supreme Court of India on Wednesday permitted ore exporters to transport ore which was lying on jetties before March 15, to be transported to their destinations while referring the matter back to the High Court to adjudicate with regard to other issues.
“It is categorically stated by learned counsel for the petitioners that the iron ore which is sought to be loaded on the vessels in the Port area in Goa is 'royalty-paid' and it was removed and brought to the jetties on or before 15th March 2018. Under these circumstances, we are of the view that the iron ore which is royalty paid and which is lying on the jetties on or before 15th March 2018 should be permitted to be loaded on the barges and on the vessels so that they can be transported to their destinations,” the Supreme Court bench of Justices Madan Lokur and Deepak Gupta ruled after a brief hearing.
“The State of Goa will ensure and confirm that only that iron ore is loaded which is 'royalty-paid' and which is lying in the jetties on or before 15th March 2018. Insofar as the other issues are concerned, since the matter is already pending in the High Court, we do not propose to deal with them and leave it to the High Court to adjudicate,” the Supreme Court also said.
A group of mining leaseholders -- Vedanta and Fomento Resources and Sociedade de Fomento Industrial Ltd, approached the Supreme Court seeking directions to allow the transport of ore that was already in transit.
The Bombay High Court at Goa had in an ad interim order stayed the transport of ore after the Director of Mines and Geology refused to own up to the transport of ore. The Court stayed the transport until the Chief Secretary submitted a sworn affidavit justifying the order to allow the transport of ore.
The matter will be taken up by the High Court on April 11.
