35 Goa mining leases get notices from pollution control board

At least 35 mining leases, operated by various firms in Goa have been issued show-cause notices by the State Pollution Control Board for failing to produce permit-related documents from the forest department.

Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) chairman Simon D'Souza said that the notices were issued yesterday as part of a drive to monitor operations of various mining leases functional in Goa.

"The drive will continue against all the polluting mining leases," he said.

The board swung into action after the companies moved applications of 104 mining leases for clearance mandatory under Air Act. Majority of the applications were related to renewal of consent to operate under the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981.

A senior GSPCB official said, during scrutiny 35 applications were found without proper documentation, especially those related to forest clearances.

Moreover, state forest department's failure to respond to clarifications sought on whether these mining companies were having valid permissions, precipitated the situation.

GSPCB has now called for a hearing on September 21, which will decide the fate of these mining leases.