SC panel to decide fate of Goa iron ore mines today

The fate of 18 mining companies that had obtained temporary permits for extracting iron ore from Goa's forests will be decided by the Supreme Court-appointed Central Empowered Committee tomorrow.

The apex court has given full powers to CEC to examine and decide the cases of these mining companies.

The special environment bench of the apex court headed by Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan had directed mine owners to make representations to CEC and satisfy it that they fulfil the nine strict conditions laid down for grant of mining leases as per its orders dated August 4, 2006, which deals with temporary working permits, or November 30, 2006.

"CEC may examine the Temporary Working Permits (TWPs) and if it is satisfied then it may permit them to work and file a report before the court. The directions and the orders of CEC will be the orders of the court," the bench stated.

Counsel K K Venugopal and Pratap Venugopal, representing mine owners, submitted that they should be allowed to carry on mining activities as they satisfied all the conditions.

"The stay imposed on mining is affecting exports and livelihood of 3,500 workers working in these quarries," they stated and requested the court to vacate the stay on mining.

Last week, the special bench had restrained these companies from mining after amicus curiae Harish Salve, appearing for CEC, pointed out that Ministry of Environment and Forests had granted temporary work permits between September 1 to November 30, this year.