Panaji: Setting aside an order by the state chief secretary, the Bombay High Court at Goa on Friday directed that transport of all iron ore, for which royalty had been paid to the state government, be stopped.
The Chief Secretary had in his order allowed transport of the royalty-paid iron ore lying outside the mining lease areas.
Today’s order by Justices Prithviraj Chavan and N.M. Jamdar, also directed the state government to decide within four weeks whether it could take possession, sell and dispose the disputed iron ore to utilise the proceeds for public purpose.
The Supreme Court ban on all mining activity, including transportation of iron ore, from Goa’s 88 mining leases, came into force on March 15. Following this, the state government, through an order by chief secretary Dharmendra Sharma, had allowed the mining lease holders to transport ore which had accumulated outside the lease areas, provided due royalty was paid to the state government.
According to official estimates, as of April end, nearly 30,000 tonnes of iron ore was lying dumped outside mining leases.
“The Court also asked the Indian Bureau of Mines to verify the iron ore production figures in view of large discrepancies, while also asking the state Director of Mines and Geology to take charge of mines safety, since miners were no longer in possession of lease holdings,” said Director of Goa Foundation, Claude Alvares, who had filed the petition seeking a stoppage of illegal transport of iron ore.
