Goa assembly passes bill to restart mining in the state

The Goa Mineral Development Corporation Bill, 2021 was passed by voice vote without discussion amid a walkout by the opposition parties.
Pramod Swant speaking during the Goa monsoon assembly session on Friday, July 30, 2021
Pramod Swant speaking during the Goa monsoon assembly session on Friday, July 30, 2021

The Goa Legislative Assembly on Friday passed a bill for the formation of a state-run corporation to carry out mining in a "scientific and ecologically sustainable" way. The Goa Mineral Development Corporation Bill, 2021, is expected to help restart the iron ore mining activity in the state. A state-run corporation will be set up to carry out mining operations in an orderly, scientific and ecologically sustainable manner, the bill said.

According to the new legislation, the corporation will be headed by the chief minister and will have on its board the secretaries of the departments of mines, finance and environment. The corporation can obtain mining leases/grants, prospecting licenses and other permissions under the Mines and Mineral Development and Regulation Act, 1957, and carry out all mining operations

The 40-member House passed the bill by voice vote without discussion amid a walkout by the opposition parties.

The industry came to a halt after the Supreme Court in 2018 quashed 88 mining licenses for various illegalities including the violation of environmental laws.

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