The Goa Mineral Development Corporation Bill, 2021

The Goa Assembly passed the Goa Mineral Development Corporation Bill, 2021, which would enable the state government to start a corporation to carry out mining operations in an orderly, scientific and ecologically sustainable manner. The passing of the bill, assumes significance on account of the fact that fresh mining excavation in the state has been shut down since 2018 when the Supreme Court scrapped the renewal of 88 mining leases citing irregularities. According to the bill, the Corporation would be headed by the Chief Minister as the ex-officio Chairman and will have top officials including Secretaries in charge of Finance, Mines and Environment as members. The Corporation will also include a lawyer nominated by the state government, two experienced chartered accountants and a government nominated geologist.