Panaji: In yet another major setback, the Supreme Court banned movement of iron ore, except the one which has reached the jetties on or before March 15 and for which the royalty is been paid.
After High Court, it is Supreme Court that has banned transportation of ore, lying outside the lease bound areas, which State Government had permitted through an order dated March 21 stating that the leaseholders had paid royalty for the ore and was taken out of the leases before March 15.
In a fresh order issued in a petition filed by mining firm Chowgule and Company Pvt Ltd, the Supreme Court has allowed transportation of ore, which is lying at the jetties and for which royalty was paid.
“The iron ore which is royalty paid and which is lying on the jetties on or before March 15 should be permitted to be loaded on the barges and on the vessels so that they can be transported to their
destinations,” the order stated.
The State has to ensure and confirm that only that ore is loaded which is royalty paid and which is lying in the jetties on or before March 15. “We have to make it clear that there will be no movement of iron ore until further orders, except the ore which has reached the jetties,” the order stated further.
There is nearly three million tons of ore lying outside the leases and jetties together.
The Court has also sought details about the mining that has taken place during the period from February 7 to March 15. The directions are issued following allegation by Goa Foundation that rampant mining took place in the State during the period.
