Directorate of Mines and Geology, Government of Goa would soon conduct hearing of 40 mining lease holders for delay in filing the ‘J Form’.

The state government is expected to take a decision on cancellation of these leases following the hearing. It is learnt that the former Congress government condoned the delay in the filing of the form.

On September 15, 2012, Directorate of Mines and Geology had issued show cause notices to 40 mining firms, to explain why action should not be initiated against them for unlawful condonation of delay and why the leases should not be declared as null and void.

The beneficiaries include mining majors such as Sociedade Timblo Irmaos, NCP leader Prafulla Hede and Congressman turned MGP politician Dinar Tarcar.

The Public Accounts Committee headed by then leader of Opposition Manohar Parrikar and Justice MB Shah Commission in its report castigated erstwhile Congress government for allowing such illegalities.

In its report on illegal mining, Justice Shah Commission had termed the entire exercise as ‘an attempt amounting to doing favours to the mine owners.’ The commission had alleged criminal misconduct on the part of officials, officers and ministers in allowing the condonation of delay in converting the mining concessions into leases.