Panaji: Directorate of Mines and Geology (DMG) has collected dead rent and surface rent from the leases holders, whose were not operational, despite second renewal, for being located in buffer zone. There are total 15 such mines, which were not operational for being located within one kilometre of the protected areas.
In a press statement issued today, the department has said that collection of surface and dead rent in case of non- working leases is a right of the owner of the lease that is the government of Goa.
“The leases in Goa were in operation as per Apex Court order dated February 7, 2018 till March 15, 2018. Some of the leases though were granted second renewal could not operate leases as per Apex Court order dated April 21, 2014 as they were falling within buffer zone of one kilometre from protected areas like wildlife centaury,” the department stated.
“As such, those leases which were operational were supposed to pay royalty, whereas those which did not work were supposed to pay dead rent and surface rent,” it added.
The leaseholders have accordingly paid royalty or surface rent and dead rent upto financial year 2017-18.
