Govt suspends all mining operations in Goa
PTI, PANAJI | 10 September 2012 23:03 IST
Goa government today issued a notification asking all the 90 mines to suspend operations with immediate effect.
The State Mines and Geology Department issued this notification directing the mines to stop their operations.
The department also suspended seven of its officials on the grounds of misconduct.
Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar told PTI that the mines would not be allowed to operate, if they were found to be carrying out work without the necessary permissions.
The mine owners have been asked to submit their documents before they could start operations.
The notification states that the mine owners need to submit all the documents including permissions from the Union Ministry of Environment and Forest.
He also said that seven officers of Mines and Geology Department have been suspended pending inquiry.
Justice M B Shah Commission, in its report had claimed that all the 90 mines operating in the state were illegal as they did not have the permission from National Board for Wildlife.
The NBW permission is required as a part of Environment Clearance (EC).
Congratulations to Mr.Parrikar for taking a bold step and ordering the suspension of the mining operations in Goa. You have entire Goans backing on this issue. Please don't bow to the illicit mining lobby presently sulking. Start confiscating their assets. Recover all the ill gotten wealth from these mine owners. It is state wealth stolen by them, so please recover it from them. And let the officials face the enquiry and go to jail for their misdeeds.