‘Green nod to Goa miners indefensible’

The Centre on Wednesday conceded before the Supreme Court that most of the environment clearance certificates (ECCs), granted to Goa mining firms between 2005 and 2010, were “indefensible” and action would be taken against private expert bodies that had conducted the environmental impact assessment (EIA).

The Centre on Wednesday conceded before the Supreme Court that most of the environment clearance certificates (ECCs), granted to Goa mining firms between 2005 and 2010, were “indefensible” and action would be taken against private expert bodies that had conducted the environmental impact assessment (EIA).

The apex court, which is hearing the matter on a day-to-day basis, also took strong note of the pleas of mining firms that if the court is going to consider the findings of the Justice M B Shah Commission in its judgement, then they (miners) be given the chance to challenge the report.

The Shah panel report had indicted almost all the miners saying illegal extraction of iron ore during last 12 years had caused a loss of `35,000 crore to the state exchequer.