New Delhi, March 17 (IANS) In a major development which could bring cheer to Goa's multi-crore-rupee mining sector, Environment and Forests Minister Prakash Javadekar on Tuesday said his ministry has decided to revoke its 2012 order that held in abeyance environment clearances granted to all mining leases operating then in Goa.
Speaking to reporters at Parliament House, Javadekar said the Goa government will now have to decide on ore extraction limits for individuals mines in the state, so that extraction does not exceed the cap of 20 million tonnes set by the Supreme Court for all mining output generated in the state.
"We have decided to lift the abeyance of mines in Goa by following all Supreme Court directives. The ministry, in an earlier decision in the wake of the M.B. Shah Commission report, had suspended all mining. That had created unemployment and created a loss of income to the country," he said.
Incidentally, a committee formed to examine the environmental impact assessment (EIA) reports for individual mining leases, which was the basis on which environment clearances were granted, said in a study that nearly all the EIAs were bogus and did not reflect a lot of flora, fauna and natural resources present on the ground.
Javadekar's announcement came on the eve of zila panchayat elections in Goa. Sustained mining closure has been one of the major poll issues.
In September 2012, then environment minister Jayanthi Natarajan during a visit to Goa suspended environment clearances granted to 93 mining leases at the time.
Her decision came only days after then chief minister Manohar Parrrikar had already temporarily suspended mining operations following the revelation of a Rs.35,000-crore mining scam by the Justice M.B. Shah Commission.
Goa's mining sector has been non-operational for more than two years because of the three successive actions, which include temporary suspension of mining permission by the then Parrikar-state government, a revocation of green clearances by the Natarajan-led union ministry, and then a subsequent ban by the Supreme Court following the mammoth mining scam.
While the state government lifted the temporary suspension last year, and the Supreme Court revoked the ban in April 2014, the ministry's decision now clears the last technical hurdle in resumption of mining.
According to Defence Minister and former Goa chief minister Parrikar, who was also present during the brief interaction with Javadekar, it was now up to the mining industry players to ensure resumption of mining at the earliest.
"Now it is up to the mining industry to get the required air and water pollution permissions and start," Parrikar said.
Javdekar added: "We have cleared the last hurdle for resumption of mining. It is up to the (mining) industry now."
Maharashtra: Rape accused presented 'live-in relationship' contract, these conditions brought relief to the government employee
A government employee got bail in a rape case due to a live-in relationship agreement. The seven conditions made under the agreement gave great relief to the person. A woman had registered a rape case
Coronavirus Updates: Corona cases reduced again in the country, 937 new cases came in 24 hours; Active patients also decreased
There has been a decrease in the cases of corona infection in the country. The Health Ministry said that 937 cases of coronavirus have been registered in the last 24 hours. According to the data
Corona remains a record every day, 6654 new cases and 137 deaths in 24 hours in the country, know top 10 states including Delhi-Maharashtra
Corona virus cases are increasing every day in India and every day it is making a record of most cases. Even today, Corona's biggest jump has been revealed. In the last 24 hours in the country, 6654
The risk of black fungus increases in Corona: 985 patients with mucormycosis in Rajasthan and MP; Center told states - Notify this in epidemic act
Mucormycosis (black fungus), another disease in the country among the corona, is increasing every day. This is the reason why many states have declared it an epidemic. On Thursday, the Telangana and
The idol of Mother Annapurna, which was stolen from Canada to India more than 100 years ago, will be installed in the Kashi Vishwanath temple on November 15
The idol of Mother Annapurna, which was stolen from India 100 years ago and sent to Canada, has been brought back. The idol will be installed at the Kashi Vishwanath temple in Uttar Pradesh on
Maharashtra CM convenes emergency meeting; People coming to Uttarakhand from 5 states will have corona test
Because of the increasing cases of corona in Maharashtra, Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray has called an emergency meeting. BMC and State Administrative Officers will be present in this. The Chief
China Coronavirus Cases: Corona outbreak started increasing again in China, more than 32000 cases were reported in 24 hours
The coronavirus has started spreading rapidly once again in China. An increase in new cases of the corona is being seen in many cities of the neighboring country. According to the data released by the
PSL 2024: Imad Wasim was seen smoking a cigarette in the dressing room during the final of Pakistan League, and also became the player of the match.
Islamabad United won the title by defeating Multan Sultans in the final of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2024 played on Monday. Batting first, the Multan team led by Mohammad Rizwan scored 159 runs
NASA's third attempt to launch the Moon mission: Rocket will fly on November 16 at 11.34 am
After about a month and a half, the US space agency NASA is preparing to launch its Moon mission 'Artemis-1' again. The launch will take place on November 16 from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida
Giorgia Meloni: Italy's PM Giorgia Meloni separated from her partner, Andrea was surrounded by controversial statements on rape
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has broken up with her partner. She announced on Friday that she is separating from her partner after being together for almost a decade. Meloni also has a
