Panaji | Dec 21, 2017: Goa state pollution control board (GSPCB) on Wednesday took a decision to drop six showcause notices issued to mining leases in Sonshi obtained under the 2006 EIA notification, paving the way for consent to be granted for them, in the near future.

"The showcause notices have become infructuous because their consent to operate has expired. It had to be dropped first to take any further action in the matter. It is a technicality. Consent cannot be granted unless the notices are dropped," an official said.

The board has sought legal opinion on the way forward for the other six mining leases in Sonshi obtained under the 1994 EIA notification. In April, the board put a halt to mining in Sonshi refusing permission to 12 of the 13 mining leases to operate in the area after they were found causing significant air pollution. A GSPCB senior officer said that the six mining companies have already applied for renewal of the 'consent to operate' before it had expired. TNN

(Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/)