From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji

Panaji, Apr 6: Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) has issued notices to 40 mining firms for allegedly extracting ore much beyond the permissible limit under Environment Clearance (EC) granted by Ministry of Environment and Forest (MoEF).

The mining firms have been given three separate dates, April 11, 13 and 16, to appear before the board with their relevant documents. The mines which will be found extracting ore in excess capacity will have their consent under water and air pollution control act revoked, a board official said.

Several mines in the state have been under scanner for allegedly extracting ore beyond the permissible limit of EC. The mines earlier had justified their excess ore claiming that they were 'not extracting but exporting the ore piled up in the form of dumps'.

The state government since last year has stopped handling of the dumps. Goa has 90 operational mining leases, which has tapped 43 million tonnes of ore during last financial year.

The notice served on the mining firms has asked to showcause why appropriate action under Water and Air act, 1974 and 1981 respectively should not be initiated against them.