25 Goa mine lease holders have been given notice by NGT
NEW DELHI : Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Anil Madhav Dave informed Congress MP in the Rajya Sabha Shantaram Naik on Wednesday in a written reply that in a case filed by Shankar Jog & Anr v/s Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change & another v/s Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change, pending in the National Green Tribunal, Pune regarding validity to the Environmental Clearances issued to mine leases in the State of Goa, a total of 25 mine leases have been issued notice.
The Minister further said that in Civil Appeal No. 1247 of 2012, Talaulikar & Sons Pvt. Ltd vs. Union of India & Anr, Supreme Court vide order dated 12th July 2016 has held that the original Environmental Clearance granted to the project vide Ministry’s order dated 25.11.2005 was valid for 2 years.
This condition of validity of 2 years was deleted by order dated 18.10.2007 without following the due process envisaged under Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, the Minister said.The Minister further said that with above observation Hon’ble Supreme Court has quashed the EC granted to the project and directed the Ministry to complete the process of grant of fresh EC in three monthstime. The Ministry is processing the case of EC in the above matter accordingly.
The case filed in NGT has raised same issue in another 25 cases in Goa, and that the case is under consideration of the Tribunal, the Minister said. In case of violation, action can be taken under section 15 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 and Competent Authority can also issue directions under section 5 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, Minister further said.
