Goa govt contemplates cancelling 40 mining leases

Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar told the Legislative Assembly today that the state government has already moved a file for legal advice on issuing notice to owners of 40 mining leases, whose delay in applying for conversion of their 'concession' into 'lease' was condoned by Congress government.

The former government had condoned the delay although "they were not allowed to do so," Parrikar said.

The delay in filing of 'J form' under the Goa, Daman and Diu Mining Concession Act, 1987 had been condoned by the previous Congress-led governments.

The deadline for filing the said form was November 22, 1988, but some were filed as late as 2005.

The 'J' form is necessary for conversion of old mining concessions granted during Portuguese rule into formal leases.

Out of 40 leases, only 8-10 are actually operational, Parrikar said, adding that almost all the leases in the state are operating under deemed provision.

"We will process their applications for renewal. Either they will be accepted or rejected, but we will take a stand on it," the chief minister said.