Goa government extends time limit for mining lease holders

The Goa government has extended the time limit for mining lease owners to covert their land used to dump rejected ore, by another month.
After the state cabinet meeting, Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar told reporters here today that applications for conversion of land used to dump rejected ore could be filed by December 10.
"They will have to pay conversion fees by January 3, next year," he said.
Earlier, the Goa state government had formulated a scheme allowing mining lease holders to convert their land used to dump rejected ore, for non-agricultural purposes.
The deadline for the conversion was November 3, 2013.

Parrikar said that several mine owners had made representions to the government asking for more time, since their staff is busy with documentation in the ongoing case at the Supreme Court against illegal mining.

The state government has collected Rs 194 crore in the form of conversion fee, the chief minister said, adding that another Rs 100 crore will be collected during the extended time.
He said that 59 mining lease holders had paid conversion fees, while 41 of them are yet to apply.
The Goa state government has already announced that it plans to take over the land used to dump ore, for which application fees for conversion have not been received.