Petition seeks independent inquiry by High Court judge in Rule 37 violations by former mining lease holders

Digital Goa, Dec 7 – High Court today issued notices to three mining firms together with the Director of Mines and Geology, on a petition challenging the continued inaction of the Goa government into Rule 37 violations by former lease holders. Supreme Court in its first judgment on illegal mining in Goa had directed the Goa government to enquire into all cases of violation of Rule 37 of the Mineral Concession Rules by lease holders in the state. Rule 37 does not permit any person or company to operate a mining lease that has not been issued to it, unless there is a prior consent of the Goa government to transfer such leases. “It is common knowledge that a few mining lease holders actually operated several leases that did not belong to them, in addition to those in their own names. It appears from RTI requests that the State govt has dilly dallied on inquiries into Rule 37 violation cases on one pretext or the other for the last 7 years,” informed petitioner, Goa Foundation Director Claude Alvares. Goa Foundation in its petition has sought independent enquiry to be conducted by a former judge of the Bombay High Court. The next hearing in the matter is scheduled on Dec 21.

The post Petition seeks independent inquiry by High Court judge in Rule 37 violations by former mining lease holders appeared first on Digital Goa.

from Digital Goa