Panaji (GOA) The National Green Tribunal (NGT) Pune bench has directed 25 mining lease holders, whose leases are in operation without valid environment clearance (EC) to appear before the Union Ministry of Environment and Forest (MoEF) for grant for fresh ECs on September 7.
The NGT order passed on August 9 is in connection with implementation of the judgement of the Supreme Court dated July 12, 2016 in the matter of M/s Talaulikar & Sons Pvt. Ltd v/s Union of India & anr.
MoEF has to file the compliance report before the next hearing, which is scheduled on October 11.
Shankar Jog and Goa Foundation had moved the NGT on the grounds that the MoEF was not taking any action to comply with the judgement of the Supreme Court in the case of these 25 mining leases.
The leases belong to Chowgule & Co Pvt Ltd, Sesa Mining Corp Ltd, EMCO Goa Pvt Ltd, Pandurang Timblo, Sociedade Timblo Irmaos Ltd Rep Timblo Pvt. Ltd, Sesa Resources Ltd, M S Talaulikar, Baddrudin Husainbhai Mavani Sova, RS Shetye & Bros, VG Quenim and Rajesh Timblo.
“Applicants submit that in view of the Supreme Court’s judgment dated 12.7.2016 that has held as illegal the MOEF orders extending the conditional ECs (without following full procedure as per the EIA Notification, the operation of the leases of these 24 can no longer be sustained and they must cease operations forthwith,” the petition added.
The petitioners pointed out that the leases today do not have a valid EC, as the ECs lost their validity after the initial two year grant. In any event, they are not entitled to resume mining operations without a valid EC henceforth or till they have complied with the procedures laid down in law.