PANAJI: Even as the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) has decided to grant consent to three mining leases in the state, it continues to be status quo in Sonshi village, as the GSPCB is still monitoring air pollution in the village.
During a meeting held on Tuesday at the Secretariat between the officials of GSPCB and representatives of the mining industry, it was agreed that the mining industry will chalk out a framework to monitor ambient environment in consultation with a reputed third party. The meeting was also attended by officials of the directorate of mines and geology.
A mining company official said that the industry has agreed to chalk out the framework, adding that the mining leaseholders will implement the same. The framework will be in place before the mining season starts post monsoon.
The GSPCB meeting, which was chaired by Chief Secretary Dharmendra Sharma, who is also the chairman of the GSPCB, has decided to grant consent to three more mining leases in the state which will be followed by furnishing of bank guarantee and other procedures. Decision regarding grant of environmental consent to mining leases in Sonshi village of Sattari taluka was, however, deferred. Sources informed this daily that the GSPCB still wants more time to monitor pollution in Sonshi. Hence status quo will be maintained till the issue of air pollution in the village is resolved.