New Delhi: The Supreme Court today quashed the second renewal of iron ore mining leases given to 88 companies in Goa in 2015.
The apex court directed the Centre and the Goa government to grant fresh environmental clearances to them.
It said the state government was obliged to grant fresh mining leases in accordance with law, in view of its previous judgement, and not second renewals to mining lease holders.
The apex court had said in previous judgements that only fresh leases were to be granted by the Goa government, not second renewals.
A bench of Justices Madan B Lokur and Deepak Gupta said mining lease holders, who have been granted a second renewal in violation of its previous decision and directions, are granted time to manage their affairs and may continue mining operations till March 15 this year.