PANAJI: While many in the state, especially the stakeholders and government, might be hoping to restart mining in the state as early as possible, experts in the field and informed senior government officials, some of whom have since retired, point out a different picture that it could take upto two years before the mining could restart.
The state authorities were euphoric after having got a “favourable” judgment from the Supreme Court on the issue of mining but the joy could be short lived as the state authorities were likely to find it difficult to get the mandatory clearances from the central and other agencies, which were must for operations of mines.
The officials said the state government would have to formulate the mining policy taking into consideration the order of apex court on the issue. The formulation of the new policy is expected to take at least two to three months as the government would have to factor in suggestion and comments from public before announcing a policy.
Since all the leases have been declared as illegal, their allotment would have to be done afresh following the laid down guidelines to the satisfaction of the apex court as well as other authorities overseeing the process and the process could take months as everything would have to be done under the watchful eye of the apex court.
The government would also have to draw a mining plan, informed a senior official, and put checks and balances in place to ensure there was no repletion of the past mistakes. The government authorities were expected to take various precautions so as to ensure that they do not get embroiled in any controversy and have to face the law, the official added.
Besides, the companies that “win” or “get” the leases through competition would find it difficult to get the environment impact assessment done expeditiously as in the past since the process would be monitored. A proper public hearing would have to be given to the people likely to be affected by mining and address to their concerns before EIA is issued, the official
said.
Another senior official, who has since retired, informed that having earned apex court’s ire during the hearing and in its judgment, the ministry of environment and forests, would take every precaution and follow the books before giving any approval for operation of mining not only in Goa but elsewhere.
“The MoEF clearances could take six months,” he added.
The officials also told The Navhind Times that that environment clearances and clearances under Forest Conservation Act could take six months each and there was no likelihood of them being considered and cleared simultaneously.
“These processes cannot be rushed through,” the officials said, adding that the state get speedier clearances as regards to Forest Rights Act and claims of the tribals, which is under its purview.
The officials further pointed to bleak future for the mines within the periphery of the wildlife sanctuaries and the lone national park in the state. The Supreme Court order has made it amply clear that these mines would have to close down. There were 32 mines located within the one kilometer zone of the wildlife sanctuaries of which 26 were operational.
The officials said that though the state government has planned to make a representation to the MoEF that its contention that mining in the “banned” zone be permitted and that it be phased out with a period ranging from five to 10 years, it is unlikely that the state’s fresh proposal would be accepted by the ministry with the SC keeping a close watch.
The state officials feel that the government’s best bet to garner revenue was to sell ore from the dumps and get revenue. They also said the government could start its own operations and start mining activities on its own under a corporation, a process that would be less cumbersome and give it better scope for generating revenue.
http://www.navhindtimes.in/goa-news/mining-may-take-two-years-restart
No comments:
Post a Comment