Lok Sabha Question No. 1743 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-12-20
Subject: Mining in the State of Goa
Ministry: MINES
Asked by: ARVIND GANPAT SAWANT, ADVOCATE NARENDRA KESHAV SAWAIKAR

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MINES

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1743 TO BE ANSWERED ON 20.12.2018

## MINING IN THE STATE OF GOA

## 1743.  SHRI ARVIND SAWANT:

ADV. NARENDRA KESHAV SAWAIKAR:

Will the Minister of MINES be pleased to state:

- (a)  the present status of mining in the State of Goa;
- (b)  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  amend  the  Mines  and  Mineral (MMDR) Act, 1957 and if so, the time by which the said amendment is likely to be implemented;
- (c)  the details of measures proposed by the Government for resumption of mining activities in Goa;
- (d)  the annual revenue from mining in the State of Goa prior to stoppage of mining in Goa in 2018;
- (e)  the  details  of  measures  taken  by  the  Government  to  uphold  the livelihood  of  those  workers,  investors,  contractors  etc.  who  have  been affected due to stoppage of mining in Goa; and
- (f) the  present  status  of  Appeal  no.  32108  of  2015  filed  by  the  Goa Foundation and pending before the Supreme Court?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR MINES AND COAL (SHRI HARIBHAI PARTHIBHAI CHAUDHARY)

(a): In the matter of Goa Foundation Vs. M/s Sesa Sterlite Ltd. & Ors. in Special Leave  to  Appeal  (Civil)  No.  32138  OF  2015  with  SLP  (C)  Nos.  32699-32727  of 2015,  Writ  Petition  (C)  No.  711  of  2015  and  Writ  Petition  (C)  No.  720  of  2015, Hon'ble Supreme Court of India vide judgment dated 07.02.2018 had cancelled 2 nd renewal  of  88  mining  leases  in  the  State  of  Goa  and  directed  to  stop  all  mining operations with effect from 16 th March, 2018 until fresh mining leases are granted.

As  per  the  information  provided  by  Indian  Bureau  of  Mines  ( IBM ),  a  subordinate  office  under  the  administrative  control  of  Ministry  of  Mines,  no  mining activity is presently taking place in the State of Goa for any major mineral.

(b) to (e): A proposal has been received from the Government of Goa to amend the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 and the same  is under examination in the Ministry of Mines.

Section  8A(4)  of  Mines  and  Minerals  (Development  and  Regulation)  Act, 1957  provides  that  on  expiry  of  the  lease  period,  the  lease  shall  be  put  up  for auction  as  per  the  procedure  specified  in  the  Mines  and  Minerals  (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957.

As per the information provided by Government of Goa, the annual revenue from mining in the State of Goa for the financial year 2017-18 was as under:

| S. No.   | Statutory Levies                   |   Amount (in crores) |
|----------|------------------------------------|----------------------|
| 1.       | Royalty                            |               267.11 |
| 2.       | Goa Iron Ore Permanent Fund        |               165.85 |
| 3.       | District Mineral Foundation        |                72.47 |
| 4.       | National Mineral Exploration Trust |                 4.76 |
|          | Total                              |               510.19 |

(f): As  per  the  records  available  on  the  official  website  of  Hon'ble  Supreme Court and information provided by IBM, Goa Foundation has not filed any Appeal bearing  No.  32108  of  2015  before  the  Hon'ble  Supreme  Court.  However,  the Hon'ble Supreme Court has delivered its judgment in S.L.A. (C) No. 32138 of 2015 on 07.02.2018.

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