All mining operations to cease from March 15 onwards in Goa

The Supreme Court has cancelled licenses issued on behalf of the Goa government, on lease of 88 quarriesdue to violation of the procedure. Along with this, the court has ordered issuance of new licenses through the bidding process. A Bench headed byJustice Madan B Lokur said that the lease which was renewed for the second time will continue until March 15 and after that its legality will be over.

The Supreme Court said: “The process adopted for renewal by the government regarding the permit of mines is a violation of the law.” In addition, a special investigation team (SIT) has been ordered from the court. In which a chartered accountant has been asked to be included. So, after the renewal of the permit of the mines, the recovery of profits made by the company will be done.

The court gave this order during a hearing on a Public Interest Litigation which was demanded by the Goa Foundation to cancel the Renewal license of the quarries in year 2015.