SC to hear Goa mining case from 17-19 Sept
PTI, NEW DELHI | 03 September 2013 11:28 IST
The Supreme Court today decided to hear from September 17 a batch of petitions seeking lifting of ban on iron-ore mining in Goa which was halted last October on the basis of the report of the Justice M B Shah Commission.
The commission had estimated a whopping Rs 35,000 crore loss to the exchequer due to illegal mining in the last 12 years.
A special forest bench headed by Justice A K Patnaik will hear the case for three consecutive days from September 17 and if it fails to conclude, then it will resume from September 24.
Sesa Goa, other miners and a group representing employees of the iron ore mining industry, besides the state government have been seeking early hearing of the case.
Mining operations in all the 90 mines in Goa were ordered to be halted by the Supreme Court on October 5, 2012 on the basis of the Justice Shah's report.
Mining companies were also restrained from exporting and selling ore which has already been extracted.
The bench had passed the order on a PIL filed by an NGO, Goa Foundation, seeking a probe into the illegal mining activities in the state.
The state government had on September 10, 2012, temporarily suspended all mining operations till October 2012, but the petitioner had alleged that suspension did not affect the trade as the private companies were transporting ore from mines.
Mining Compensation should be given to those farmers who has lost their farms and not to those who has taken their farms. Mining Compensation should be given to those Tourist Sector who has lost their Tourism and not to those who has taken their Tourists. Tourism & Agriculture has taken a back-seat due to Mining.
Thanks to the GOA FOUNDATION, who came as a Savior for Goans. Goans was continuously breathing the poisonous air. Thanks to the SUPREME COURT for banning mining in Goa. Mining closure has given fresh air & greenery look. Agriculture has come alive. Thanks to all the ANTI-MINING ACTIVISTS who works tirelessly & fearlessly in Saving Goa and not allowing to become another Khedernarth Tragedy in Goa. THANKS.