In a last ditch attempt to ensure continuance of mining operations in Goa, a Cabinet advisory committee here has recommended filing a review petition in the Supreme Court of India, even as the apex court directed temporary ban on all mining activity in the coastal State comes into effect from March 15.
The members of the committee Public Works Development Minister Sudin Dhavalikar, Urban Development Minister Francis D'Souza and Agriculture Minister Vijai Sardesai, also said, that their recommendation had been sent to Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar, who is being treated for a pancreas-related ailment in the US, and a final decision on the matter would be taken by the Chief Minister himself in the US.
"The committee has recommended that the State Government should file a review petition before the Supreme Court, through the offices of the Attorney General of India. We have sent our recommendation to the Chief Minister, who will take a final decision on the matter," Dhavalikar told The Pioneer on Wednesday.
The Supreme Court order in February had cancelled all 88 mining leases, which were renewed by the BJP-led coalition Government in Goa in favour of the same mining companies implicated in the Rs 35,000 crore illegal mining scam.
The order also mandates, that mining leases should be issued anew, after getting all the necessary environment clearances, a process which could take nearly one and a half to two years according to experts.
Ruling MlAs have opposed mining, claiming that "outsiders" would exploit the State's natural resources and have been demanding that the Central Government should make an exception vis a vis Goa, by allowing renewal of existing mining leases in favour of the same mining companies instead of issuing fresh leases using the auction route.
But members of the cabinet committee insist, that auctioning of Goa's mines is the only way ahead for resumption of mining in the coastal State.
"There is no other way than auctioning of mines. But all we want to request the apex court is that, until
the mines are auctioned mining should be allowed to continue. The mining activity and trade impacts more than one lakh lives directly and indirectly" Urban Development Minister Francis D'Souza told The Pioneer.