The existing suspension of environment clearances (ECs) of mining leases by the Centre is casting a shadow on budget preparations in Goa, where the Government is pushing for its revocation.
Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar today said the drafting of budget for 2015-16, to be presented on March 25, is not possible without considering revenue from the mining industry, a key source of income for the coastal state.
Talking to reporters, he said the government doesn't want to table the budget without Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) revoking suspension of ECs of mining leases.
The revocation is required for resumption of mining activity in Goa, where iron ore extraction has come to a standstill since the last over two years, adversely affecting the state's economy.
"I spoke to the Minister (Prakash Javadekar). I told him it is high time the suspension of ECs was revoked. We have completed all formalities required from our side," he said.
The Chief Minister said, "I have told him that I don't want to table the budget without this issue being resolved. We want to consider the revenue from the mining industry, without which budget won't be complete."
Parsekar said the MoEF might revoke suspension "any time".
In 2012, then Environment and Forests Minister Jayanti Natarajan had suspended ECs after the Goa government temporarily barred operation of licences over allegations of illegal extraction.
In April last year, the Supreme Court lifted a ban on iron-ore mining but imposed certain conditions.
