Need to consider amendment in relevant law that will permit mining in Goa until 2037: GMPF

Goa Mining People’s Front (GMPF) on Monday said it has made a plea to the Centre to consider amendments in the relevant law that will permit mining operations in the state until 2037.

Goa Mining People’s Front (GMPF) on Monday said it has made a plea to the Centre to consider amendments in the relevant law that will permit mining operations in the state until 2037. Mining activities in the state came to halt on March 15, 2018 after the Supreme Court quashed the second renewal of 88 mining leases.

GMPF President Puti Gaonkar said it has proposed amendment in The Goa Daman and Diu Mining Concessions (Abolition and Declaration of Mining Leases Act) 1987. "The said amendment shall clarify the period of lease in Goa until 2037 (50 years as provided under MMDR Act amendment 2015) by making the abolition act 1987 prospective to make it prospective by changing the current provision of it being retrospective," Gaonkar said.

On the amendment regarding DMF (District Mineral Funds), rules and guidelines, GMPF stressed the need to use the funds to create alternate employment in addition to agricultural schemes, for sustaining long-term opportunities for employment in the mining belt. Last month, the mines ministry come out with reform proposals and had sought comments from stakeholders on the same.