No violation found in probe into 16 mining leases: Goa CM

Panaji, August 4: Goa government has told the State Legislative Assembly that no violation of any kind was found in the probe into the exports and extraction of iron ore by 16 mining leases between 2002-2012 in the state.

Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar in a reply tabled on the floor of the House yesterday gave clean chit to 16 mining leases.

Notably, the 16 were among a bunch of leases that were spelled in the report of M B Shah Commission set up by the apex court which led to temporary closure of mining activity in Goa for two years.

The list tabled in the House includes leases belonging to mining firms like Sesa Goa Iron ore Ltd, Chowgule and Co, EMCO Goa, V D Chowgule, N S Narvekar, VM Salgaocar and Bro Pvt Ltd and Kunda Gharse.

Parsekar was replying to a question raised by Goa Vikas Party Legislator Francisco Pacheco, who sought to know whether inquiry was conducted by then Mining Secretary Pawan Kumar Sain in 16 cases where violation of Rule 37 and 38 of Mineral Concession Rules (MCR), 1960 was reported as per Justice Shah Commission report.

The CM said based on Commission report, show cause were issued to the mining lease holders by the department of Mines and Geology in 2014.

As per the information furnished, government issued order in case of all the 16 leases giving clean chit to the lease holders after considering the replies of the lessee and the department.

PTI