PANAJI

 The Cabinet Advisory Committee (CAC) said that the state government would defend its orders in the Supreme Court that allowed iron ore transportation on which royalty had been paid before March 15.

Vedanta and other mining companies have moved the Apex court challenging last week’s order that stopped transportation of ore which was passed by the high court of Bombay at Goa.

The order of the high court came in a contempt petition filed by the Goa Foundation, an NGO. CAC member and TCP Minister Vijai Sardesai said that the Vedanta matter is likely to come up for hearing on Wednesday.

Sardesai said that, “our stand is that mining transportation is legal and in case it is required, we will put this view before the court or seek time.” He further said that if the Supreme Court allows transportation of ore, then mining-affected people in Goa would get employment for the next two months.