NEW DELHI, Apr 18
Taking cognizance of a complaint, which alleged that the Goa government and Vedanta Limited signed a lease deed for the commencement of mining operations last month after the Model Code of Conduct came into force, the additional chief electoral officer (CEO) in Goa has referred the matter to the Election Commission of India (ECI).
The additional CEO stated that submissions made by the Goa government’s Directorate of Mines and Geology on the matter were “not satisfactory”. The complaint, made by an NGO called Goa Foundation on April 5, had alleged the contract was meant to “influence elections”.
In a letter written to the Principal Secretary, Election Commission of India, on Monday, additional CEO Sunil P Masurkar wrote, “The reply filed by the Directorate of Mines and Geology is examined by this office and the same is found not satisfactory. It is observed that the mining lease deed executed by the Department though may amount to be part of the same contractual commitment, however, it is an independent agreement and since it was executed during the Model Code of Conduct period, it was binding on the part of the department to obtain prior permission of Election Commission of India, and hence contravenes 21 (f) of the guidelines.” “It is to state that though there is no transfer of ownership, there is an allocation of land by way of lease to enjoy certain rights over the land which contravenes 21 (e) of the guidelines,” the letter states. It adds that the matter has been referred to the Election Commission of India for further “guidance and directions”.
The complaint had highlighted that the state and Vedanta Limited signed a lease deed in connection with the Bicholim Mining Block 1 on March 22, after the enforcement of the MCC, and alleged that “the agreement is now being used by the government to win votes by informing voters that mining has resumed in Goa”.
Subsequently, the CEO’s office sought a response from the Directorate of Mines and Geology, which explained that the execution of mining lease was conducted as per applicable laws and contractual obligations and that it does not contravene the MCC. “The MCC prohibits the signing of new agreements or MoUs where the government is a party without prior clearance from the Election Commission. However, it is essential to recognise that the execution of the mining lease in Vedanta’s case was not a new agreement. It was a continuation of an existing contractual commitment and statutory requirement predating the MCC,” the reply said. The Directorate submitted that the auction process was initiated on September 30, 2022 and had to be concluded as per rules by April 12, 2024.
Vedanta Sesa Goa had on April 4 said it has commenced mining operations in Bicholim. This is the first auctioned mine to become operational since mining was halted in Goa six years ago. A spokesperson for Vedanta Sesa Goa declined to comment on the development.
