33 mines illegal, all mines without approval: Shah Comn
PTI, PANAJI | 07 September 2012 21:36 IST
A judicial commission's inquiry into the illegal mining in Goa has revealed that 33 mines in the state were operating within one kilometer of a national park, sanctuary or protected areas without permission.
The Justice M B Shah Commission report, which was tabled in the Parliament along with the Action Taken Report, has recommended immediate stoppage of the mining activities around the protected areas, as the mines did not have mandatory permissions from the National Board for Wildlife (NBW).
"The mining activities, including transportation in these mines require to be immediately stopped. Thereafter, by following the due process of law, leases should be cancelled," the commission has said.
The panel that investigated the illegalities in Goa's iron ore mining industry, has also said that there were seven mining leases operating within 1.5 kms of protected areas.
"The adverse impact of such mines on the protected areas cannot be ruled out. The NBW should especially take note of such mines and decide whether the mines should be closed or allowed with minimum required production, so as to dissipate the adverse impact in a longer period," the report reads.
The commission has said that all the 90 mines, which were operational as on December 2011, were without the approval of the standing committee of NBW.
"This is in clear violation of the order passed by the Hon'ble Supreme Court and also some specific conditions stipulated by the MoEF," the commission has observed.
The regional office of MoEF at Bangalore (Karnataka), which has jurisdiction over Goa, has submitted a list of 49 projects pertaining to Goa, which are falling within 10 kms from the boundaries of National Parks or sanctuaries.
The commission has recommended that the mines, which are running without approval, is required to be stopped and the money should be recovered at the rate of export price or market price, whichever is applicable.
"Other consequential action should also be taken. It is pertinent to state here that such illegal act can't happen without connivance of the politicians, bureaucrats and lessees. There is a complete collapse of the system," it further adds.
Goa government must immediately take action against these illegal mines and cleose them. Please confiscate the assets of all these mine owners. Seal their offices and attach their all the Ill,gotten wealth. That is the only solution for these rogue and illegal mine owners. This action will act as an deterrent for future illegalities.