The Goa government’s three-member ministerial committee on Wednesday recommended filing a revision petition in the apex court seeking continuance of mining until the leases are auctioned.
Iron ore extraction and transportation from Goa’s 88 mining sites is due to come to a temporary halt on Thursday following a Supreme Court order. Agriculture Minister Vijai Sardesai, a member of State’s Cabinet Advisory Committee, said the panel recommended that the State should approach the Attorney General of India to file a review petition in the Supreme Court.
Mr. Sardesai said Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar, who is undergoing treatment for advanced pancreatic cancer in the U.S., would “take the final call on this decision”. In its order last month, the apex court had ordered a stop on mining in 88 sites leased in Goa from March 15 and directed the State government to issue fresh leases, after completing necessary environment-related formalities.
An amendment to the Mines and Minerals Regulation and Development Act of 2016 had made auctioning of natural resources mandatory. The apex court decision triggered a rift in the Bharatiya Janata Party-led coalition in Goa, with several legislators, including BJP MLA from Curchorem Nilesh Cabral, accusing both the State and Central governments of “betraying” the interests of those dependent on mining industry in Goa.
Mr. Cabral accused the governments of not working quickly enough to prevent iron ore extraction from shutdown on March 15.
