Changes afoot in Goa Mining – 2

In the previous post, we had discussed the Rule 12(1)(hh) notice issued to the holders of the 88 illegally renewed leases asking them to take their property and vacate the leases. While this is an important and necessary step, it raises a number of questions. What about other leases? The first question is why notice has been issued to only …

Police finally stirred into action

After the 2018 HC judgment stopping all sand mining in Goa as the regulations weren’t followed, illegal sand mining has been flourishing. Contempt of court petitions have been filed, but even the HC orders are ignored. This seizure came after protests in Uguem (where the river has become very deep and land lost), followed by prominent press coverage and a …

Govt agrees Pissurlem illegalities

The Advocate-General agreed in the high court that the 300,000 tons of ore that was on the lease TC 95/52 (earlier with Damodar Mangalji) is illegal as there is no mining pit on the lease. The transportation of the ore had been blocked by the local villagers, who were brutally attacked by the police. Whose ore was it? Which lease …

Today’s environmentalism

Dr. Madhav Gadgil writes a fascinating article in the Economic & Political Weekly (EPW) drawing extensively from his experience with the Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel (WGEEP) and with mining in Goa. He recapitulates the horror experienced with mining in Goa, including the difficulties tribals have found in establishing a cooperative to undertake mining in their village.

The Great Goan Mining Heist: Implications of the 2014 Supreme Court Judgement Ruling

Over the last ten years mining losses have been variously reported and unsubstantiated estimates touted. In among all of this, one thing is certain: the trend is consistently upwards. Amounts have been quoted from Rs. 3,500 crores due to non-payment of royalty (PAC Report) to Rs. 35,000 crores due to mining outside lease areas (Shah Commission). However the latest official …