Panaji (Goa): The Goa State pollution control board (GSPCB) has decided to drop the show-cause notices issued to 23 iron ore mining leases, which were alleged to be operational without the valid environment clearance (EC).
The Board had in November 2017 issued show-cause to these 23 mines asking as why the consent to operate granted to them should not be revoked for having invalid EC.
The ECs were granted under EIA notification of 1994, the issue which was challenged before the Supreme Court by Goa Foundation.
Board took legal opinion on the matter. The legal adviser opined that Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC ) notification does not pertain to these mining units. Accordingly, the Board decided to drop the show-cause notices issued to them.
MoEF in December, 2017 directed 24 mining leases to go for fresh public hearing for grant of Environment Clearance while it upheld the Supreme Court judgment in the M/s. Talaulikar & Sons v/s Union of India and others. These leases were found being operational without valid ECs from the Ministry.
