Director of Goa Foundation Claude Alvares said, “How can they (Vedanta) be given licence to operate when the election code of conduct for Lok Sabha election is in force?"
He said, "This is completely irregular and violates the code. They did not have the agreement before the date of elections was announced. It means they were given after the date of elections was announced. We will complain to the Election Commission of India.”
Calling the decision of the GSPCB bad, Alvares alleged that the "government is doing favour just because the mining company had given Rs 90 crore to the BJP."
“Is this the way that they will continue to favour? It is not acceptable. This is not the way to do things. If they are going to restart the mining this way by violating the Election Code of Conduct, then it is totally pathetic,” Alvares said, adding that he will complain to the ECI in this regard.
The Vedanta Ltd was the first mining firm to win the bid for Bicholim-Mulgao mining block having over 84 million tonnes of iron ore reserve available for extraction, in December 2022.
The Vedanta had bid the highest at 63.55 per cent revenue share for the block. The mining block comprises five mining leases located at Mulgao, Sirigao, Lamgao, Mayem and Bicholim spread across 485 hectares.
Incidentally, this mining lease was earlier operated by the erstwhile Sesa iron ore, a Vedanta Group of Company.
The Vedanta Ltd had already obtained fresh Environment Clearance (EC) for the lease apart from other permissions to operate the lease.
The letter of intent issued to the mining company is valid for a period of three years within which time all the conditions must be fulfilled.
In December 2022, the Directorate of Mines and Geology had completed the first phase of auctioning of the mining blocks, which were assigned to the four successful bidders.
The Supreme Court had directed the State government to grant fresh mining leases strictly as per the provisions of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957.
Ramesh Gauns files complaint with ECI against Mines Dept
PANJIM: Environmentalist Ramesh Gauns has filed a complaint with the Election Commission of India (ECI) against the Directorate of Mines and Geology for violating Model Code of Conduct by signing a lease deed with the Vedanta
Limited for Bicholim mines without paying stamp duty.
In his complaint to the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC), New Delhi, Gauns has urged him to investigate the matter and initiate action against the Director of Mines and Geology, as per law.
