With the central government failing to take a decision on the issue of resumption of mining in the state, it is now evident that mining is unlikely to start this season that begins on October 1. The state government had unanimously passed a resolution in the last session of the Assembly to seek the Centre’s help to facilitate it by promulgating an ordinance to amend the existing law. A delegation of state leaders led by Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar had met the central leaders to plead Goa’s case. Prime Minister Narendra Modi promised to look into the matter. But with Parrikar’s prolonged illness the issue could not be followed up resolutely by the state government. It is unlikely that any decision would be taken in the near future and the wait for the mining dependents on its resumption would only get longer.
It might be recalled that with the mining dependents getting restive and threatening action, the Assembly had passed a resolution urging the Centre to suitably amend the Goa, Daman and Diu Mining Concessions (Abolition and Declaration as Mining Leases) Act to allow mining leases in the state to be operational till 2037. The resolution also urged the Centre to amend the Mines and Minerals (Regulation and Development) Act so as to give mining leases in Goa 50-year tenure of operation. The state’s demands were placed before the central Group of Ministers for consideration and prompt action. The Centre had asked the state to send a detailed proposal so as to tweak the law and allow resumption of mining. The state was supposed to form a team to follow up with the GoM but neither the team was formed nor did the GoM that was to meet did anything to resolve the issue. Even if the Centre is able to find a solution through the ordinance route or other legal means to facilitate resumption of mining in the state, it is unlikely that mining could start immediately. Officials of the department of mines and geology are of the opinion that the state authorities would need at least 18 months to complete the procedures under new dispensation for mining to restart.
Ever since mining was suspended in September 2012 by the Parrikar-led government over the issue of illegalities, its operations have not been the same as they were just before suspension. Though mining resumed in September 2015, it never picked up the full momentum. In 2015-16 the mining companies exported only 7 million tonnes of iron ore. In the subsequent year they managed to export 20 million tonnes, the uppermost capacity fixed by the Supreme Court. However, the government decision to fast track renewal of leases without adhering to its directions led to mining being stopped altogether from March 15, this year. Following the furore created by the mining dependents, the state government and the central authorities have been promising that they would take steps to help state restart mining operations at the earliest, which has somehow remained elusive. Sensing that mining operations were unlikely to start soon, the mining dependents have called for a strike on October 3. The government would have to put its acts together and somehow convince the Centre to come to its aid so as to tide over the situation. Whether the government can deliver on its promise on restarting mining and provide relief to those who have been affected by mining ban remains to be seen.
Revival of mining is a serious issue and needs to be handled with due care as the apex court is overseeing it. The state and central authorities need to be sure that the way forward to allow resumption of mining has legal sanctity. Any attempt to adopt shortcuts could be counterproductive. The state leaders have been seeking changes to the Goa, Daman and Diu Mining Concessions (Abolition and Declaration as Mining Leases) Act and the Mines and Minerals (Regulation and Development) Act, while the central leaders have expressed apprehension that the moves might not stand the scrutiny of the apex court. Though the state leaders sought changes to the law they have somehow not been able to send a detailed proposal to the central government. It is time that the state leaders decide quickly on how to redress the issue and send a detailed proposal to the Centre for implementation. As the efforts made in the past attracted Supreme Court attention leading to mining being ordered to be stopped totally, it has to be seen that past mistakes are not repeated. The resolution has to be within the framework of the law and people need to be informed about possible delays.
