Goa state pollution control board has decided to return all applications seeking renewal of consent to operate filed by mining lease holders and other parties,as the iron ore industry has come to a grinding halt after the Supreme Court order.
Sources said that the decision had been taken at the 105th board meeting sometime ago,but the process to initiate the action took some time due to procedural formalities.
It is likely that from next week,the applications for renewal of consent to at least 71 mining leases will be dispatched to the lease holders.In addition,there are requests from stackyards,jetties,screening plants,beneficiation plants for renewal of consent to operate.
A source added that"As the apex court has stopped all mining activity in connection with a writ petition,the board decided there was no point in keeping the applications pending."
