THE GOA FOUNDATION v. M/S SESA STERLITE LTD. & ORS.

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A depend on the facts and circumstances of each case, in consonance with the principles which we have culled out above. Failing which, the Court, in exercise of power of judicial review, shall term the executive action as arbitrary, unfair, unreasonable and capricious due to its antimony with Article 14 of the Constitution. B In conclusion, our answer to the first set of five questions is that auctions are not the only permissible method for disposal of all natural resources across all sectors and in all circumstances.” [Emphasis supplied by us].

69Copy pinpoint69. It is therefore more than explicit that there is no constitutional requirement (let alone a mandate) for allocation of natural resources through the auction method (other than spectrum) but at the same time the auction process should not be given a go-bye without any justification – the decision to give a go-bye is judicially reviewable though the scope of judicial review might be rather restricted. The melting pot of allocation D of a natural resource, a social or welfare purpose and adherence to the requirements of Articles 14 and 39(b) of the Constitution in matters of policy was a great leap forward fashioned by the Constitution Bench. Consequently, while there is no mandate, constitutional or otherwise, that natural resource allocation must be only by auction, it is certainly “a E more preferable method”. There are exceptions, such as when the natural resource allocation is for a “social or welfare purpose”. On the other hand if the natural resource allocation is “for commercial pursuits of profit maximising private entrepreneurs” de hors any social or welfare purpose, then judicial review would be permissible and Article 14 of the Constitution would be attracted and if the executive action is found to be arbitrary, it would be struck down. Therefore, when it comes to natural resource allocation, the executive has a somewhat limited elbow room.

70Copy pinpoint70. In his concurring opinion, Justice Khehar took the view (in paragraph 186 of the Report) that: “…when natural resources are made available by the State to private persons for commercial exploitation exclusively for their individual gains, the State’s endeavour must be towards maximisation of revenue returns.” [Emphasis supplied by us] The learned judge concluded his opinion by agreeing that an auction is one of the price recovery mechanisms, but not the only one for allocation of natural resources. “That should not be understood to mean that it can never be a valid method for disposal of natural resources.” It was further

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held that natural resources cannot be alienated by way of largesse – A there must be a reciprocal consideration either in the form of earning revenue or sub-serving the common good or both. The learned judge had this to say: “The policy of allocation of natural resources for public good can be defined by the legislature, as has been discussed in the foregoing paragraphs. Likewise, policy for allocation of natural resources may also be determined by the executive. The parameters for determining the legality and constitutionality of the two are exactly the same. In the aforesaid view of the matter, there can be no doubt about the conclusion recorded in the main opinion that auction which is just one of the several price recovery mechanisms, cannot be held to be the only constitutionally recognised method for alienation of natural resources. That should not be understood to mean that it can never be a valid method for disposal of natural resources (refer to paras 186 to 188 of my instant opinion). D I would, therefore, conclude by stating that no part of the natural resource can be dissipated as a matter of largesse, charity, donation or endowment, for private exploitation. Each bit of natural resource expended must bring back a reciprocal consideration. The consideration may be in the nature of earning revenue or may be to “best subserve the common good”. It may well be the amalgam of the two. There cannot be a dissipation of material resources free of cost or at a consideration lower than their actual worth. One set of citizens cannot prosper at the cost of another set of citizens, for that would not be fair or reasonable.” [Emphasis supplied by us].

71Copy pinpoint71. This issue was considered in Goa Foundation as well. The Court adverted to Natural Resources Allocation in paragraph 81 of the Report and pithily expressed its view that the manner of granting a mining lease is a policy decision of the State Government, but the decision can be examined by way of judicial review. It was held: “We are of the considered opinion that it is for the State Government to decide as a matter of policy in what manner the leases of these mineral resources would be granted, but this decision has to be taken in accordance with the provisions of the H

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A MMDR Act and the Rules made thereunder and in consonance with the constitutional provisions and the decision taken by the State of Goa to grant a mining lease in a particular manner or to a particular party can be examined by way of judicial review by the Court.” [Emphasis supplied by us]. B It was then declared in paragraph 87.5 of the Report that: “It is for the State Government to decide as a matter of policy in what manner mining leases are to be granted in future but the constitutionality or legality of the decision of the State Government can be examined by the Court in exercise of its power of judicial review.” [Emphasis supplied by us]. Similarly, in Manohar Lal Sharma this Court adverted to the issue and noted the following in paragraph 98 of the Report: “The Constitution Bench [Natural Resources Allocation] clarified that the statement of law in 2G case [CPIL] that while transferring or alienating the natural resources, the State is duty- bound to adopt the method of auction was confined to the specific case of spectrum and not for dispensation of all natural resources. The Constitution Bench said that findings of this Court in 2G case were limited to the case of spectrum and not beyond that and that it did not deal with the modes of allocation for natural resources other than spectrum.” The Court also referred to the views expressed by Justice Khehar and held, in paragraph 104 of the Report: “In light of the above legal position, the argument that auction is the best way to select private parties as per Article 39(b) does not merit acceptance.”

72Copy pinpoint72. This Court then exercised its power of judicial review and considered the merits of the explanation given by the Central Government for not adopting the competitive bidding route for the allocation of coal blocks. The various submissions made, the various hurdles faced G (including objections of the State Governments) as well as the impracticality of opening up the allocation of coal blocks to competitive bidding were considered and then it was held (after opening the window of Article 14 of the Constitution) in paragraph 110 of the Report: “The above facts show that it took almost 8 years in putting in place allocation of captive coal blocks through competitive

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bidding. During this period, many coal blocks were allocated giving rise to present controversy, which was avoidable because competitive bidding would have brought in transparency, objectivity and very importantly given a level playing field to all applicants of coal and lowered the difference between the market price of coal and the cost of coal for the allottee by way of premium which would have accrued to the Government. Be that as it may, once it is laid down by the Constitution Bench of this Court in Natural Resources Allocation that the Court cannot conduct a comparative study of various methods of distribution of natural resources and cannot mandate one method to be followed in all facts and circumstances, then if the grave situation of shortage of power prevailing at that time necessitated private participation and the Government felt that it would have been impractical and unrealistic to allocate coal blocks through auction and later on in 2004 or so there was serious opposition by many State Governments to bidding system, and the Government did not pursue competitive bidding/public auction route, then in our view, the administrative decision of the Government not to pursue competitive bidding cannot be said to be so arbitrary or unreasonable warranting judicial interference. It is not the domain of the Court to evaluate the advantages of competitive bidding vis-à-vis other methods of distribution/disposal of natural resources. However, if the allocation of subject coal blocks is inconsistent with Article 14 of the Constitution and the procedure that has been followed in such allocation is found to be unfair, unreasonable, discriminatory, non-transparent, capricious or suffers from favouritism or nepotism and violative of the mandate of Article 14 of the Constitution, the consequences of such unconstitutional or illegal allocation must follow.” [Emphasis supplied by us].

73Copy pinpoint73. More recently in M/s. Ajar Enterprises Private Limited v. Satyanarayan Somani22 this Court once again examined the issue of distribution of natural resources and held: G

“Undoubtedly, disposal of natural resources by auction is not a mandatory principle for, as the Constitution Bench held,23 22 2017 (10) SCALE 346 23 Natural Resource Allocation H

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A individual statutes may provide for modalities of transfer by alternate modes which subserve public interest. ….. The choice of methods is not left to the unbridled discretion of a public authority. Where a public authority exercises an executive prerogative, it must nonetheless act in a manner which would subserve public interest and facilitate the distribution of scarce natural resources in a manner that would achieve public good. Where a public authority implements a policy, which is backed by a constitutionally recognised social purpose intended to achieve the welfare of the community, the considerations which would govern would be different from those when it alienates natural resources for commercial exploitation. When a public body is actuated by a constitutional purpose embodied in the Directive Principles, the considerations which weigh with it in determining the mode of alienation should be such as would achieve the underlying object. In certain cases, the dominant consideration is not to maximize revenues but to achieve social good such as when the alienation is to provide affordable housing to members of the Scheduled Castes or Tribes or to implement housing schemes for Below the Poverty Line (BPL) families. In other cases where natural resources are alienated for commercial exploitation, a E public authority cannot allow them to be dissipated at its unbridled discretion at the cost of public interest.” [Emphasis supplied by us]. The window is now more than ajar.

74Copy pinpoint74. Till fairly recently, policy matters particularly of economic policy were hands-off as far as the courts were concerned.24 But the recent decisions of this Court, including by the Constitution Bench in its advisory jurisdiction, have partially modified this theory and kept open the window to judicially review such a policy if it does not serve the common good as understood in Article 39(b) of the Constitution, if it violates Article 14 of the Constitution and alienates natural resources for maximizing profits of private entrepreneurs while sidelining Article 39(b) of the Constitution. “The legislature and the executive are answerable to the Constitution and it is there where the judiciary, the guardian of the 24 BALCO Employees’ Union (Regd) v. Union of India, (2002) 2 SCC 333 at paragraphs 46 and 47 H

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Constitution, must find the contours to the powers of disposal of natural resources, especially Article 14 and Article 39(b) [of the Constitution].25

75Copy pinpoint75. Notwithstanding this, a Court must exercise restraint and not set aside Government policy only because it disagrees with it or because a better policy could be framed or simply because it has the power to set aside the policy. Policies framed by the State, after due consideration, must be respected and given enough elbow room and flexibility for implementation. Of course, there would be occasions when the implementation of a policy has teething problems or some lacuna is discovered at a slightly later stage, but that does not mean that policy itself is defective. Therefore, Courts must be very cautious and circumspect in diluting or setting aside a policy and must do so only if it is constitutionally unavoidable, otherwise good governance could be a casualty.

76Copy pinpoint76. The conclusions that could be drawn from all these decisions are: (i) It is not obligatory, constitutionally or otherwise, that a natural resource (other than spectrum) must be disposed of or alienated or allocated only through an auction or through competitive bidding; (ii) Where the distribution, allocation, alienation or disposal of a natural resource is to a private party for a commercial pursuit of maximizing profits, then an auction is a more preferable method of such allotment; (iii) A decision to not auction a natural resource is liable to challenge and subject to restricted and limited judicial review under Article 14 of the Constitution; (iv) A decision to not auction a natural resource and sacrifice maximization of revenues might be justifiable if the decision is taken, inter alia, for the social good or the public good or the common good; (v) Unless the alienation or disposal of a natural resource is for the common good or a social or welfare purpose, it cannot be dissipated in favour of a private entrepreneur virtually free of cost or for a consideration not commensurate with its worth without attracting Article 14 and Article 39(b) of the Constitution. Whether the decision of the State of Goa forsaking the auction route is arbitrary? G

77Copy pinpoint77. Keeping in mind the broad principles identified above, the question that arises for our consideration is whether the State of Goa was justified in not adopting the auction route for the grant of mining 25 Paragraph 95 of the Natural Resource Allocation decision H

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A leases and simply granting a second renewal. For a better understanding of this issue, it would be worthwhile to again refer to the Goa Mineral Policy, the report of the EAC, the Grant of Mining Leases Policy and the decision of the Bombay High Court, which documents were relied upon by the learned Additional Solicitor General. B (i) Goa Mineral Policy

78Copy pinpoint78. The Mineral Policy makes it very clear that during the period from about 2006 till about 2012 (for about 5 years) extraction of iron ore in Goa was nothing but a free-for-all situation. Illegalities and irregularities were committed in abundance by all concerned, particularly the mining lease holders. The Mineral Policy records that the State witnessed the peak of chaotic and unregulated mining. The thought of protecting and preserving the environment, concern for the fragile ecology of Goa was far from the thoughts of the stakeholders – even the well-being of the average Goan was not taken into consideration by the stakeholders. A reading of the initial paragraphs of the Mineral Policy suggests that nothing short of rapacious mining was going on in Goa. Who were the beneficiaries of all this rapaciousness? Could all this be ignored?

79Copy pinpoint79. The Mineral Policy informs us that the beneficiaries of the rapaciousness were not the domestic industry and certainly not the average Goan. The reason for this is spelt out in the Mineral Policy E itself. Iron ore from Goa is not suitable for the Indian industry due to the low Fe content and the high silica presence. Therefore, there is no value addition to the Indian industry and the iron ore was mined only for export – mainly to China and also to Japan. With a port in the vicinity, Goan iron ore was an attractive buy for the global market and the spin-offs benefited those in the port, transporters and barge owners etc. The primary beneficiary of this was, of course, the mining lease holder, a private entity, and the price was paid by the average Goan who had to suffer a polluted environment and witness the damage to the State’s ecology.

80Copy pinpoint80. If the issues mentioned in the Mineral Policy are objectively considered in strict monetary terms, the only conclusion that can be drawn is that the extraction of iron ore was for commercial purposes and maximizing the revenues of private entrepreneurs and not necessarily the State of Goa. The natural resource was exploited by some mining lease holders for making profits and nothing else. There were some collateral beneficiaries as well, and they too were commercially driven entities such as barge owners, truck owners etc. Under these

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circumstances, the question that arises is whether the mining lease holders should have been given a second renewal of the mining lease virtually for a song, that is, payment only of royalty, when they were driven only by a profit motive or whether the mining leases ought to have been auctioned? Unfortunately, the Mineral Policy did not advert to or even consider any solution that would break from the past. B

81Copy pinpoint81. As far as the environment, the fragile ecology of Goa and the well-being of the average Goan and the rule of law is concerned, the Mineral Policy categorically states that the State had witnessed, from 2006-07 till 2011-12 the peak of chaotic and unregulated mining without any concern for the fragile ecology and environment of the State or for the general well-being of an average Goan. Surely, all this cannot be C ignored or brushed aside particularly since the exploitation of mineral resources for five years had no element of social or public purpose, no concern for society and no regard for the environment and the laws. (ii) Vishwanath Anand Expert Appraisal Committee D

82Copy pinpoint82. A reading of the report of the EAC is disturbing and acutely highlights the damage to the environment and ecology by the mining lease holders. The complete indifference by all concerned is evident from a careful reading of the report. We propose to refer to and quote in extenso the ‘summary of observations’ and the ‘concluding remarks’ from the report of the EAC since they are self explanatory: E

“Sum mary of Observations I. The absence of specific conditions highlighting the mandatory requirement to obtain prior approval of the Standing Committee of the NBWL [National Board for Wild F Life] in the EC [Environmental Clearance] has led to misinterpretation of the legal requirement. There has been an inordinate delay of more than 5 years before effective action against defaulting units were initiated by the Ministry for non-compliance of the Hon’ble Supreme Court order dated 04.12.2006. G II. Out of 137 ECs, the requirement of obtaining approval of the Standing Committee of the NBWL under the W.L. (P) Act 1972 [Wild Life (Protection) Act] has not been complied with in 123 cases where the distances are less than 10 km from the nearest PA [Protected Area]. H

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A III. In respect of 10 cases approval of the Standing Committee of the NBWL is not mandatory as the mine leases are located beyond 10 km from nearest PA. IV. Contrary to the directions of the Hon’ble Supreme Court dated 04.08.2006 in Writ Petition (Civil) No. 202/1995; ECs B have been accorded to 41 mines located within 1 km from the nearest PA. V. In respect of 20 cases mine leases were renewed under MMDR Act, 1957 prior to grant of FCs [Forest Clearance]. VI. In 29 cases, project proponents have furnished wrong C information about distance from the nearest PAs. VII. Non-compliance of various EC conditions such as excess production/unauthorized dump mining/drawal of ground water without prior approval of CGWB/encroachment; have also been reported in respect of working mines. D Concluding Remarks A reading of our observations and recommendations would show that without exception, every proponent to whom an environment clearance was issued has either violated its conditions or has furnished information in the application which has been distant from the truth. There are basically two types of violations; one that cannot be legally condoned and those that can be rectified with remedial measures. This is the reason why the committee has recommended that all ECs for mines located within one km from PAs should be revoked and in cases where untruthful information was furnished in the application for EC, such mines should not be allowed to reopen. In the case of those mines which have been closed for more than five years, their reopening has not been recommended without their applying de novo for a fresh environmental clearance as micro environmental conditions on the ground would have changed during the period they remained closed. However, when one looks at the manner in which the directives dated 04.08.2006 and 04.12.2006 of the Supreme Court have been implemented one cannot help but feel that there is the absence of a bridge mechanism within the Ministry to ensure and oversee that directives of the Courts are complied with due diligence and seriousness.

THE GOA FOUNDATION v. M/S SESA STERLITE LTD. & ORS. 415 [MADAN B. LOKUR, J.]

There are two factors which stand out; in some ECs as mentioned in this report, the condition was inserted that the project proponent should seek approval of the CWLW [Chief Wild Life Warden], in others it was stated that approval of the Competent Authority/ Standing Committee of the NBWL should be obtained and in a third category no condition at all was imposed, even though some of these ECs pertain to the same meeting and timelines between 2005 and 2007. It is strange that concerned officials in the MOEF were not aware that other than the Standing Committee of the NBWL no other person was authorised to grant the permission envisaged by the order dated 04.12.2006 of the Supreme Court. This is not to state that any discrepancy in the EC letter would absolve the project proponent from complying with the law of the land. This has resulted in creating ambiguity amongst many of the project proponents and it was not until 01.01.2009, that the MOEF issued a public notice clarifying the position. Considering that some of the project proponents may have been misguided by the ambivalence of the MOEF in not clearly delineating the legal position, it is suggested that in the case of those project proponents who did not conceal facts in their applications but did not apply for permission to the Standing Committee of the NBWL, their applications may be considered for being placed before the Standing Committee of the NBWL. E However this can in no way be construed as a justification on the part of the project proponents for not complying with the requirements of the law. It must be noted for example that in those cases where mining has intersected the ground water, approval of the CGWB [Central Ground Water Board] had not been taken by the project proponents as was required by the EC. Similarly, there are cases where mining operations have taken place without obtaining a FC. ……. As regards violations of the conditions of the ECs and where environmental damage has been caused, the concerned proponents should be made accountable and the MOEF should examine as to how some monetary damages can be levied through due legal process based on the Polluter Must Pay principle, the proceeds of which could be used for environmental rehabilitation. H

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A There are concerns about the carrying capacity of the area with regard to its ability to sustain the extent and quantum of mining that has taken place there. It is recommended that a carrying capacity study should be commissioned for the area, or if another study by a nationally recognised institution is coming to fruition the result of that should be acted upon. Such a study should also take into account the impact of mining on the hydrology of the region and the extent of pollution caused to surface and ground water. This study should be compared to the earlier 10 years baseline data to determine the impact of mining on the biodiversity and hydrology of the area in the last decade. Based on the finding of this, a specific policy for mining of iron ore in the region may be developed. Such a policy along with a proper control and monitoring mechanism is necessary in order to avoid a situation such as the one under question. It would hopefully also ensure that mining in this region is carried out in accordance with best sectoral practices using appropriately clean technologies.” [Emphasis supplied by us].

83Copy pinpoint83. The report of the EAC reveals that there is not a single environment related or mining related law or legal requirement that was not violated by one or the other mining lease holder. Quite clearly, the rule of environmental law in Goa had gone with the wind. E

84Copy pinpoint84. There was one extremely important requirement relating to extraction of groundwater – that is clearance from the Central Ground Water Board - but even that was ignored. During the course of submissions, we were informed that there is plenty of groundwater available in Goa. However, what seems to have been overlooked is that with the intersection of groundwater levels with mining operations, the groundwater would get depleted much faster than expected or the quality of the groundwater would deteriorate. It is for this reason that MoEF insisted that clearance for drawal of groundwater must be taken from the Central Ground Water Board and care taken in respect of the intersection of groundwater level with mining operations (this happened in 46 cases). Unfortunately, no heed was paid to these requirements by the State of Goa or any of the mining lease holders and not one mining least holder has any clearance (where required) from the Central Ground Water Board, or at least none was brought to our notice.

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(iii) Decision of the Bombay High Court A

85Copy pinpoint85. The High Court essentially created two classes of applicants for the grant of a mining lease – those in whose favour an in-principle decision had been taken for a second renewal of the mining lease and who had paid the necessary stamp duty in terms of the Government order of 21st February, 2013 and those who had not yet paid the requisite stamp duty.

86Copy pinpoint86. As regards the first category, the High Court directed execution of the mining lease in their favour in accordance with the provisions of Section 8(3) of the MMDR Act. This was on the belief that the applicants had applied for the second renewal within the prescribed time period; the Indian Bureau of Mines had approved the mining plans of these applicants; the Indian Bureau of Mines was subjectively satisfied that the second renewal was in the interest of mineral development; and that in view of the principles of promissory estoppel these applicants were entitled to a second renewal of their mining lease since they had altered their position to their detriment by paying the stamp duty demanded. D

87Copy pinpoint87. As regards the second category (those who had not paid the stamp duty), the High Court directed the State of Goa to decide their second renewal application within a period of three months keeping in mind the provisions of Section 8(3) of the MMDR Act (and the requirement to pay the stamp duty). E

88Copy pinpoint88. The decision of the High Court does not at all discuss the options available to the State of Goa, namely, second renewal of the mining leases versus auction of a natural resource. In fact it appears that the High Court was not at all alive to the possibility of an auction of the mining leases, notwithstanding the view canvassed by the learned F Advocate General of the State of Goa. (iv) Goa Grant of Mining Leases Policy 2014

89Copy pinpoint89. The Grant of Mining Leases Policy announced and issued on 4th November, 2014 is perhaps the most important document in the entire G scheme of things and that is the reason it was read out extensively by the learned Additional Solicitor General and that is why we have chosen to quote it extensively.

90Copy pinpoint90. A consideration of the contemporaneous facts beginning with the Budget Speech given by the Hon’ble Minister of Finance of the H

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A Government of India on 10th July, 2014 makes it clear that an amendment to the MMDR Act was to be effected sooner than later. The Grant of Mining Leases Policy overlooks that and proceeds on the basis that the judgment of the High Court delivered on 13th August, 2014 left the Government of Goa with no choice but to abandon the grant of mining leases through competitive bidding, even though that might be the most appropriate method of obtaining the best revenue for the public good. The Government of Goa had therefore “for the present” ruled out the process of going in for competitive bidding keeping also in mind that the State was virtually starved of funds and had to balance the equities and needs of all, including the labour class, working class and other staff, markets in mining localities, public sector, mining lease holders, welfare needs of the State, environment and fragile ecology of the State and general well-being of the average Goan.

91Copy pinpoint91. The State of Goa was also alive to the fact that many (if not all) mining lease holders had violated the terms of the mining lease or some statutory obligation. Therefore, it was decided to categorize the offenders as follows: Category I – will be those Mining Leases which have no violations or very minimal violation of any provision / condition of applicable laws/rules orders/permissions etc. or those which cannot otherwise be referred to as ‘violations’. Category II – are those Mining Leases which have been found to have violated the Provisions of the Mineral Concession Rules including Rules 37 and 38 and other matters as mentioned in the Public Accounts Committee Report/Justice Shah Commission Report. In this category, the State Government will consider each of the cases on its own merits; and wherever the violations are noticed subject to the same being remedied by paying appropriate Penalty/Fines including those of forfeiture, the State Government shall pass appropriate Orders in accordance with Law. Category III – Mining leases will be those which are found to have violated substantially any provision / condition of applicable laws / rules/orders/permissions etc., and in which cases the State Government shall determine the Lease/reject their ‘Application for the Second Renewal’.

92Copy pinpoint92. The offences ranged, amongst others, from illegal sale of ore, sale of royalty challan without ore, encroachment of adjoining areas

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outside the lease, over production in excess of the limit specified in the environmental clearance, unscientific mining operations, violations with respect to payment of royalty amount, re-use of old royalty challans for defrauding, illegal mining activities etc. etc. None of these are ‘minimal’ violations. However, and this is important, the Grant of Mining Leases Policy made it clear that the following shall not be considered for renewal of mining leases: (i) Those facing an inquiry initiated pursuant to the orders of this Court in paragraph 88.2 of Goa Foundation for the violation of Rules 37 and 38 of the Mineral Concession Rules, 1960; (ii) Those indicted by the Justice M.B. Shah Commission; and (iii) Those indicted by the Public Accounts Committee. The Grant of Mining Leases Policy stated that inquiries are already in progress “at various levels and foras” C including a Special Investigation Team and a team of Chartered Accountants. We dare say that violations pointed out by the EAC ought also to have been taken into consideration.

93Copy pinpoint93. Be that as it may, there is no doubt that iron ore mining in Goa was solely for commercial purposes – it was extracted primarily for export to China and Japan without any value addition to the domestic industry. True this brought in considerable foreign exchange – nevertheless iron ore extraction gave insignificant value addition (if at all) to Indian industry. The only advantage that iron ore extraction gave to the State was in terms of royalty, but the larger benefit accrued to the private mining lease holder who could obtain a mining lease on renewal virtually free and without any social or welfare purpose. In other words, the State sacrificed maximizing revenue for no apparent positive reason, virtually surrendering itself to the commercial and profit making motives of private entrepreneurs and ignoring the interests of Goan society in general. Therefore, in principle, the decision of the State of Goa to not auction the grant of mining leases was flawed in that it did not serve the common or public or social good but primarily assisted in filling the coffers of private entrepreneurs. We are not inclined to go so far as to describe the decision as arbitrary since it is not necessary to do so.

94Copy pinpoint94. However, we make it clear that we have dealt with this issue because it was canvassed before us. We are not inclined to quash the decision of the State of Goa of not going in for competitive bidding for the grant of fresh mining leases since it is not necessary in view of our conclusion that fresh mining leases were required to be granted by the State of Goa. H

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95Copy pinpoint95. At this stage we must refer to a submission made by Mr. C.U. Singh learned counsel appearing for some of the mining lease holders. He submitted that prior to 12th January, 2015 the MMDR Act did not permit the auction of mining leases. Therefore, even if the State of Goa was desirous of introducing competitive bidding for grant of fresh mining leases it could not have done so. He drew our attention to Section B 11 of the MMDR Act (as it stood prior to its amendment in 2015) which provided a preferential right for obtaining a prospecting license or mining lease to the holder of a reconnaissance permit or prospecting license. He submitted, placing reliance on Sandur Manganese and Iron Ores Limited v. State of Karnataka26 that since the MMDR Act is a complete code in itself, the method or procedure for grant of a lease cannot travel outside the confines of the statute and the Mineral Concession Rules, 1960 framed thereunder. Reference was made to paragraphs 40 to 43 of the judgment: “In view of the specific parliamentary declaration as discussed and explained by this Court in various decisions, there is no question of the State having any power to frame a policy dehors the MMDR Act and the Rules. In State of Assam v. Om Prakash Mehta27 this Court in SCC para 12 held that the MMDR Act, 1957 and the MC Rules, 1960 E contain a complete code in respect of the grant and renewal of prospecting licences as well as mining leases in lands belonging to the Government as well as lands belonging to private persons. Again this Court in Quarry Owners’ Assn. v. State of Bihar28 held that both the Central and the State Government act as mere delegates of Parliament while exercising powers under the MMDR Act and the MC Rules. It is not open to the State Government to justify grant based on criteria that are dehors the MMDR Act and the MC Rules. The exercise has to be done strictly in accordance with the statutory provisions and if there is any deviation, the same cannot be sustained. It is the normal rule of construction that when a statute vests certain power in an authority to be exercised in a particular manner then the said 26 (2010) 13 SCC 1 27 (1973) 1 SCC 584 H 28 (2000) 8 SCC 655

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authority has to exercise it only in the manner provided in the statute itself. This principle has been reiterated in CIT v. Anjum M.H. Ghaswala29 SCC at p.644; Captain Sube Singh v. Lt. Governor of Delhi30 and State of U.P. v. Singhara Singh.31" [Emphasis supplied by us]. Reference may also be made to paragraph 44 of the Report that reads thus: “Mr. Harish N. Salve and Mr. Dushyant Dave, by drawing our attention to the decision of this Court in TISCO Ltd. v. Union of India [(1996) 9 SCC 709] , submitted that inasmuch as this Court had upheld the grants based on “captive consumption”, there is no flaw or error in the recommendation of the State Government dated 6-12-2004. A perusal of the above decision clearly shows that it concerned with Section 8(3) of the MMDR Act which requires consideration of the extremely general criterion of the interests of mineral development before granting second renewal of a mining lease. Unlike in Section 11(3), no further criteria were specified and it was in this background, this Court upheld on the facts of that case that relevant material taken into account by the Committee set up by the Central Government rightly included “captive consumption”. In view of the factual situation, the said decision can have no bearing on initial grants of mining lease where the only permissible criteria are the matters set out in Section 11(3) of the MMDR Act.”

96Copy pinpoint96. The controversy in Sandur Manganese related to the grant of mining leases contrary to the provisions of Section 11 of the MMDR Act in that a non-statutory criterion was taken into consideration de hors Section 11 of the MMDR Act for evaluating the applications and seeking approval of the Central Government for granting a mining lease. This was held to be impermissible and it may be so. In any event, paragraph 44 of the Report makes it clear that there is a distinction between the requirements of Section 11(3) of the MMDR Act and Section G 8(3) of the MMDR Act. Sandur Manganese is not applicable to the facts of the present case. 29 (2002) 1 SCC 633 30 (2004) 6 SCC 440 31 (1964) 4 SCR 485 H

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97Copy pinpoint97. Similarly, reference was made to the Statement of Objects and Reasons for the Bill introduced in 2015 to amend the MMDR Act. It was stated therein that “The present legal framework of the MMDR Act, 1957, does not permit the auctioning of mineral concessions.”

98Copy pinpoint98. This submission need not detain us since we are not required B to adjudicate whether the State of Goa should have auctioned the mining leases or not. The State of Goa decided to renew the mining leases and we are only called upon to decide (i) Whether the policy decision not to auction the grant of mining leases was arbitrary (we have already held that we are not required to express a final opinion on this). We may, however, recall en passant that the Goa Grant of Mining Leases Policy C proceeded on the basis that the auction of mining leases was permissible and that had the sanction of the Court in Goa Foundation. It may be added that the MMDR Act did not prohibit the auction of mining leases. (ii) Whether the second renewals were in accordance with law and the constitutional principles.

99Copy pinpoint99. We may also note that the Constitution Bench in Natural Resources Allocation referred to the submission that if auction were the only method of allocating natural resources (as it appears from CPIL) then the mandate would create a conflict with some statutes including the MMDR Act. The Constitution Bench dealt with this submission in E paragraph 83 of the Report by observing: “Moreover, if the judgment in 2G case32 is to be read as holding auction as the only permissible means of disposal of all natural resources, it would lead to the quashing of a large number of laws that prescribe methods other than auction e.g. the MMDR Act.” F However, the Constitution Bench did not advert to the consequence vis- à-vis the MMDR Act of holding that auction was not mandated as the only method of allocating a natural resource. Since the question does not arise in these cases, we decline to go into this issue – we need not finally adjudicate whether the State of Goa should have auctioned the mining G leases but we are called upon to decide whether the grant of second renewals was valid in law. Judicial review of renewals

100Copy pinpoint100. In view of decisions of this Court, including in Natural Resources Allocation it is permissible for this Court to judicially review, H 32 (2012) 3 SCC 1

THE GOA FOUNDATION v. M/S SESA STERLITE LTD. & ORS. 423 [MADAN B. LOKUR, J.]

to a limited and restricted extent, the Grant of Mining Leases Policy, A among other things, if it falls foul of Article 14 read with Article 39(b) of the Constitution and if it ignores the common or public or social good but benefits private entrepreneurs, particularly when it involves the natural resources, by sacrificing the maximization of revenue for the State.

101Copy pinpoint101. In Natural Resources Allocation the Constitution Bench B observed that “Alienation of natural resources is a policy decision, and the means adopted for the same are thus, executive prerogatives. However, when such a policy decision is not backed by a social or welfare purpose, and precious and scarce natural resources are alienated for commercial pursuits of profit maximising private entrepreneurs, adoption of means other than those that are competitive and maximise revenue C may be arbitrary and face the wrath of Article 14 of the Constitution.”

102Copy pinpoint102. Similarly in Goa Foundation this Court declared that “It is for the State Government to decide as a matter of policy in what manner mining leases are to be granted in future but the constitutionality or legality of the decision of the State Government can be examined by the Court D in exercise of its power of judicial review.”

103Copy pinpoint103. Despite the dicta of the Constitution Bench and the declaration made by this Court in Goa Foundation we do not propose to judicially review the Grant of Mining Leases Policy but to consider on merits whether the grant of second renewal to the mining leases was in E accordance with the Grant of Mining Leases Policy and the law.

104Copy pinpoint104. In our opinion, in renewing the mining leases, the State of Goa completely ignored several relevant and important and significant factors giving the impression that the renewals were not quite fair or reasonable. F

105Copy pinpoint105. For one, the State ignored the fact that every single mining lease holder had committed some illegality or the other in varying degrees. To identify these illegalities (although they had already been identified by the Justice Shah Commission and by the EAC), a Special Investigation Team had been set up as also a team of Chartered Accountants. Instead G of waiting for a report from any one of these teams, the State acted in violation of the Grant of Mining Leases Policy and renewed the mining leases. Why was the report from the Special Investigation Team not awaited or called for and examined? In the Grant of Mining Leases Policy it was clearly and explicitly stated (as mentioned above) as follows: H

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A “Unless and until the Inquiry initiated pursuant to the Judgment and Order of the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India against those Mine Lease Holders found to be violating either Rule 37 or Rule 38 of the Mineral Concession Rules, 1960, or otherwise indicated in the Report of the Justice Shah Commission/PAC report or found to be engaged in, any kind of illegality of whatsoever nature such as illegal Sale of Ore, Sale of Royalty Challan without Ore, Encroachment of adjoining areas outside the lease over production in excess of the limit specified in the Environmental Clearance; those which have undertaken unscientific mining operations; those who have violated or have not paid the Royalty amount; those who have re-used old Royalty Challans for defrauding; and those involved in Illegal Mining Activities shall not be considered for renewal of the Mining Leases. For this purpose, presently the inquiries are in progress at various levels and foras including the investigation by the SIT Team, by the Team of Chartered Accountants which have been set up by the State Government and after the inquiry is complete or during the course of the inquiry where it is found that any violations have taken place, such persons shall not be considered for Grant/Renewal of the Leases.” [Emphasis supplied by us].

106Copy pinpoint106. Unfortunately, the undue haste in which the State acted gives the impression that it was willing to sacrifice the rule of law for the benefit of the mining lease holders and the explanation of satisfying the needs of some sections of society for their livelihood (after keeping them in the lurch for more than two years) was a mere fig leaf. The real F intention of the second renewal was to satisfy the avariciousness of the mining lease holders who were motivated by profits to be made through the exploitation of natural resources.

107Copy pinpoint107. The undue haste also needs to be looked at in the context of the statement made in the final paragraph of the Grant of Mining Leases G Policy to the effect that this Policy is an in-principle decision and would be notified after it is vetted for legal requirements “from specific necessities as also from financial view points”. In other words, the Grant of Mining Leases Policy as published on 4th November, 2014 was not a final policy statement but only an intent that would take final shape after due vetting. The Grant of Mining Leases Policy was eventually published on 20th January, 2015 but it was acted upon even before it was gazetted.

THE GOA FOUNDATION v. M/S SESA STERLITE LTD. & ORS. 425 [MADAN B. LOKUR, J.]

108Copy pinpoint108. A partial explanation for this hurry, if we may venture to suggest, is that the State of Goa was aware (like everybody else) on 17th November, 2014 if not earlier, of the policy of the Government of India to auction the grant of mining leases which policy was made available in the public domain on that date and suggestions invited. It is on 17th November, 2014 that the draft Mines and Minerals (Development and B Regulation) Act, 2014 was published on the website of the Ministry of Mines of the Government of India. The policy of the Government of India proposed to introduce Section 10B by way of an amendment to the MMDR Act and the proposed amendment made it very clear that if it were to be accepted, auction of mining leases in respect of notified minerals (including iron ore) would become a reality if not an obligation. C It appears that to circumvent this rather uncomfortable policy, the State pressed the accelerator on the renewal of mining leases from December 2014 onward to benefit mining lease holders. So much so that in respect of 5 mining leases, the State overstepped the law and granted a second renewal in early January 2015 to some entities without even waiting for any approval or deemed approval of the mining plan from the Indian Bureau of Mines or any other authority.

109Copy pinpoint109. This sequence of events acquires further significance when it is recalled that an Ordinance to amend the MMDR Act was made known to the general public on 5th January, 2015 and promulgated by the President on 12th January, 2015 thereby mandating competitive bidding or auction for the grant of mining leases. The State of Goa perhaps anticipated this in view of the publication of the draft Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 2014 and therefore hurried into the second renewal of mining leases (notwithstanding the Grant of Mining Leases Policy) to defeat the introduction of the auction process. In fact in the period from 5th January, 2015 to 12th January, 2015 the Government of Goa granted a second renewal to as many as 56 mining leases and from 17th November, 2014 the State of Goa granted a second renewal to as many as 75 mining leases. The sudden spurt of renewal of mining leases is beyond comprehension. The judgment and order of the High Court in Lithoferro cannot be used as a shield for explaining the haste. G

110Copy pinpoint110. These facts must also be appreciated in the context that mining operations were suspended in Goa with effect from 10th September, 2012 due to an order passed by the State of Goa. Therefore, mining operations having been suspended for more than two years, the State H

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A could have certainly waited for a few weeks more and taken an informed and reasoned decision on granting a second renewal to mining leases – but waiting for a few weeks could have led to an uncomfortable situation that would have compelled the State of Goa to auction the mining leases, hence the haste.

111Copy pinpoint111. This Court held in Tata Iron & Steel Co. Ltd. v. Union of India33 that for the purposes of Section 8(3) of the MMDR Act34 the concept of ‘mineral development’ encompasses the concept of captive mining, an assessment of its requirement by different industries as well as the principle of equitable distribution (under Article 39(b) of the Constitution). It is not at all clear from the records before us that the C State had applied its mind to these and other factors including the report of Justice Shah, the report of the EAC, the absence of any value addition to the domestic industry and the degradation of the environment as noted by the Expert Committee appointed by this Court in concluding that a second renewal was ‘in the interests of mineral development’. Mere D reliance on the acceptance or deemed acceptance of the Indian Bureau of Mines is not enough, as imagined by the State of Goa. The matter of ‘interests of mineral development’ has to be considered holistically and not in an isolationist manner.

112Copy pinpoint112. In this context, it is also necessary to point out that the E National Mineral Policy 2008 provided that: “To maximise gains from the comparative advantage which the country enjoys intra se mineral development will be prioritised in terms of import substitution, value addition and export, in that order.” Admittedly, iron ore is not extracted 33 (1996) 9 SCC 709 34 F “8. Periods for which mining leases may be granted or renewed.- (1) The maximum period for which a mining lease may be granted shall not exceed thirty years: Provided that the minimum period for which any such mining lease may be granted shall not be less than twenty years. (2) A mining lease may be renewed for a period not exceeding twenty years. (3) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (2), if the State Government is G of opinion that in the interests of mineral development it is necessary so to do, it may, for reasons to be recorded, authorise the renewal of a mining lease in respect of minerals not specified in Part A and Part B of the First Schedule for a further period or periods not exceeding twenty years in each case. (4) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (2) and sub-section (3), no mining lease granted in respect of mineral specified in Part A or Part B of the First H Schedule shall be renewed except with the previous approval of the Central Government.”

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in Goa for import substitution, or value addition for domestic industry, but A only for the last option, that is, export. Can it reasonably be said that the export of iron ore is in the interest of mineral development? We were informed that only one of the mining lease holders captively consumes the extracted iron ore and it is evident from the Mineral Policy that despite mining operations having closed down for some period in other B States, iron ore from Goa was not used in the domestic steel industry. Therefore, it is not at all clear who, other than the mining lease holders making exports, was benefited by resumption of mining operations in Goa through a second renewal.

113Copy pinpoint113. The Mineral Policy clearly suggests that for a period of five years between 2006 and 2012 the mining lease holders committed various C illegalities and irregularities in the mining process. This is an indication of their exploitative and rapacious attitude having little or no concern for the environment, the fragile ecology of Goa or even the health and well- being of the average Goan. This irreparable damage was being caused by the mining lease holders without any benefit to the domestic industry. D Therefore, while the mining lease holders may have contributed virtually nothing to the domestic industry, they might have made considerable profits through exports and might have also benefited the foreign exchange reserves of the country, but the real-time damage to the quality of health and life of the average Goan and damage to the environment and ecology of Goa is nevertheless incalculable or at least considerable – and export benefits cannot be weighed against health or the environment.

114Copy pinpoint114. What is unfortunate about the entire commercial activity of the mining lease holders is that there was no social or public purpose attached to the mining operations. There was one and only one objective behind the mining activity and that was profit maximization. The renewal of the mining leases would give considerable profits to the mining lease holders well beyond the benefits that could accrue to the State or to the average resident of Goa. It was observed by Justice Khehar in Natural Resources Allocation that material resources of the country should not be dissipated free of cost or at a consideration lower than their actual worth. This was not kept in mind and mining leases were renewed for a small payment of stamp duty and royalty. It is therefore clear that the considerations that weighed with the State were not for the people of Goa but were for the mining lease holders. This certainly cannot be described as being “in the interests of mineral development.” H

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115Copy pinpoint115. With the mining lease holders violating virtually every applicable law or legal requirement, it is clear that the rule of law was not their concern. The list of violations and their variety was documented by the EAC and it makes for some very sad reading. To make matters worse, it was clearly mentioned in the Grant of Mining Leases Policy that a Special Investigating Team and a team of Chartered Accountants B would look into all the violations but the State chose not to wait for any of the reports. There is no explanation for this.

116Copy pinpoint116. In this background, there is little to suggest that the State considered the requirements of Section 8(3) of the MMDR Act in that the interests of mineral development was secondary while granting the second renewal of mining leases. The entire exercise undertaken by the State was a hasty charade, regardless of violations of the law by the mining lease holders, without any benefit to the Indian industry and without any concern for the health of the average Goan.

117Copy pinpoint117. The undue haste with which the State granted the second renewal of mining leases particularly after the amendments proposed to the MMDR Act were placed in the public domain by the Government of India (relating to the auction of mining leases) is a clear indication that the decision of the State was not based on relevant material and not necessarily triggered by the interests of mineral development. The very large number of renewals granted over a comparatively brief period is a clear indication that the State did not have ‘mineral development’ in mind but had some other non-statutory interests while taking its decision to grant a second renewal to the mining leases. The haste with which the State took its decision also needs to be understood in the background of the fact that mining had been suspended by the State in September F 2012 that is more than two years prior to the grant of second renewals. The urgency suddenly exhibited by the State therefore seems to be make- believe and motivated rather than genuine.

118Copy pinpoint118. Facts from the record also disclose some interesting information regarding the second renewal of mining leases. The table G below indicates that except 13 mining leases, all the others were renewed after publication of the draft Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 2014 on 17th November, 2014. The table is given below and is self explanatory:

THE GOA FOUNDATION v. M/S SESA STERLITE LTD. & ORS. 429 [MADAN B. LOKUR, J.]

Period Mining leases A renewed Between 5-17 November, 2014 13 Between 10 December, 2014 and 2 19 January, 2015 Between 5-12 January, 2015 56 B Total 88 On 12 January, 2015 31

119Copy pinpoint119. Of the 13 mining leases renewed in November 2014, it is found that according to the State of Goa all of them are Category-I violators (except Geetabala M.N. Parulekar who is a Category–II C violator). However, it was pointed out by learned counsel appearing on behalf of Goa Foundation that the report of the Vishwanath Anand EAC indicates that a recommendation was made to revoke the environmental clearance in respect of 6 mining lease holders; additionally, none of the mining lease holders had approval from the National Board for Wildlife (where required); all of them (except 2) had mined in excess of the permissible limit under the environmental clearance; all of them had indulged in dump mining; some of them were guilty of encroachments; in almost every case the mining activity intersected ground water level and none of the mining lease holders had permission for ground water withdrawal. These cannot be described as minor violations but were actually multiple violations in almost all cases. How could the State of Goa and MoEF overlook these recommendations and multiple violations?

120Copy pinpoint120. It may be recalled that the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Ordinance, 2015 came into force on 12 th January, 2015 and on that day as many as 31 mining leases were renewed. F In respect of 5 mining leases renewed in January, 2015 the report from the Indian Bureau of Mines was called for in January, 2015 itself and the mining leases were renewed without receipt of the report from the Indian Bureau of Mines and before expiry of the mandatory period for submitting the report in terms of the the second proviso to Rule 24A(3) of the Mineral Concession Rules, 1960. In other words, without even receipt G of any report from the Indian Bureau of Mines and even before the expiry of the statutory waiting period, the State of Goa renewed some mining leases. This is patently illegal.

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121Copy pinpoint121. We were informed by the learned Additional Solicitor General that of the 88 mining leases that were renewed, 38 of them are not working for a variety of reasons – making their renewal an empty exercise.

122Copy pinpoint122. These facts are mentioned in the context of the undue haste B shown by the State of Goa in granting a second renewal to the mining leases keeping the following dates in mind: 17 th November, 2014 – The draft Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 2014 was uploaded on the website of the Ministry of Mines of the Government of India. C 5th January, 2015 – Approval of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Ordinance, 2015 by the Cabinet of the Government of India became public knowledge. 12th January, 2015 – President of India promulgated the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment D Ordinance, 2015.

123Copy pinpoint123. It is possible that the State did have some serious governance issues to contend with as mentioned in the Grant of Mining Leases Policy, namely, since iron ore mining had been suspended for more than two years, the State faced a lack of funds resulting in its having difficulty in undertaking infrastructure projects and other activities. The State had also to contend with the adverse effects faced by a large population that was directly or indirectly dependent on the mining sector. Additionally, the transport sector was affected as well as barges used for transport through rivers from jetties. The stoppage of mining operations therefore affected several categories of stakeholders including small business or small commercial ventures and workers/labour. The Grant of Mining Leases Policy also noted that there was a tremendous loss of foreign exchange of about $8 billion through exports and more than Rs. 850 crores towards loans/advances on the mining sector for a variety of activities as well as about Rs. 1000 crores towards housing, business and other loans. Over all there was a slump in economic activity which also had an impact on the education sector etc.

124Copy pinpoint124. The State has projected virtual chaos (which could be an exaggeration) but that is why we have left open the issue of arbitrariness of the policy decision. Nevertheless the State is bound by the law, however uncomfortable it might be in granting a second renewal in terms of Section

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8(3) of the MMDR Act. Therefore, on an overall consideration of all aspects of the case, we are of opinion that the decision of the State of Goa to quickly renew the mining leases while ostensibly complying with the requirements of Section 8(3) of the MMDR Act and thereby jettisoning the rule of law was unjustified. Whether fresh environmental clearances were required to be obtained by the mining lease holders?

125Copy pinpoint125. The question whether the mining lease holders required fresh environmental clearances arises in the context of paragraph 82 of the decision rendered in Goa Foundation quoted above. It must be stated that some mining lease holders had environmental clearances under EIA C 1994 while others under EIA 2006. Notwithstanding this, since we have held that fresh mining leases were required to be granted, it follows that fresh environmental clearance is required to be obtained by those who are granted a fresh mining lease.

126Copy pinpoint126. That apart, the materials before the Court while deciding Goa D Foundation included the report of the Justice Shah Commission, the report of the EAC and the report of the Expert Committee constituted by the Court by orders dated 11th November, 2013 and 18th November,

2013. On a combined reading of the material before it, the Court took a broad view that large-scale mining of iron ore led to several adverse impacts including those related to the environment, ecology and health of the people of Goa and that these illegalities and irregularities were committed by almost all (if not all) mining lease holders as reported by the EAC. The Court also accepted the view of the Expert Committee that the ecology of Goa was being degraded through indiscriminate mining and placed a cap on the annual excavation of iron ore. It was noted that mining by the lessees in Goa after 22nd November, 2007 was illegal and that mining operations were suspended by the State of Goa on 10 th September, 2012 and environmental clearances granted to the mines were kept in abeyance by the MoEF on 14th September, 2012. Considering all this, as well as the law laid down in Goa Foundation to the effect that there is no automatic second renewal of a mining lease but that a G second renewal must be granted in accordance with the provisions of Section 8(3) of the MMDR Act, the Court used the expression “grant fresh environmental clearances for mining projects” in the passage referred to above. H

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127Copy pinpoint127. We have already adverted to the report of the EAC. As far as the Expert Committee set up by the Court is concerned, it had furnished an Interim Report dated 14th March, 2014 in which it noted large-scale degradation of the environment and recommended placing an annual cap between 20 and 27.5 million tonnes on the extraction of iron ore in Goa. The Expert Committee noted the following (which makes for some very depressing reading): “The production of iron ore has jumped from 14.6 million tons in 1941 to 41.17 million tons in 2010-2011. In 1980s the production was about 10 MT/annum. The quantum jump in iron ore production in Goa was essentially due to steep rise in exports of fines and other low grade ore of 42% Fe content to China. This has led to massive negative impacts on all ecosystems leading to enhanced air, water, and soil pollution affecting quality of life across Goa. This is evident by three important reports i.e. (i) Areawise Environmental Quality D Management (AEQM) Plan for the Mining belt of Goa by Tata Energy Research Institute, New Delhi and Goa (1997) and it was submitted to the Directorate of Planning, Statistics, and Evaluation, Government of Goa, (ii) Environmental and Social Performance Indicators and Sustainability Markers in Minerals Development Reporting Progress towards Improved Ecosystem E Health and Human Well-being, Phase III by TERI and International Development Research Centre, Ottawa, Canada (2006) and (iii) the Regional Environmental Impact Study of Iron Ore Mining in Goa region sponsored by MoEF, New Delhi (2014) by Indian School of Mines. Besides the above three main reports, a number of scientific research papers on the impact of iron ore mining on the environment and ecology of diverse ecosystems were published by scientists working at Goa University and NIO. These reports and publications substantiate that the mining, particularly the enhanced level of annual production contributed to adverse impacts on the ecological systems, socio-economics of Goa and health of people of Goa leading to loss of ecological integrity. This is due to enhanced levels of pollutants, particularly RSPM and SPM, sedimentation of materials from dumps and iron ore in rivers, H

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estuaries and shallow depth (20 m) of sea water, agricultural fields, high concentration of Fe and Mn in surface waters and their bioaccumulation.” [Emphasis supplied by us].

128Copy pinpoint128. Faced with this material evidence before it, the Court took the view in Goa Foundation that fresh environmental clearances must be obtained. Unfortunately however, the State of Goa was more concerned with earning revenue rather than the health of the people of Goa or enforcing the rule of law and therefore gave a complete go-bye to the directions of this Court and to the concerns of the citizens of Goa and requested the MoEF to lift the abeyance on the environmental clearances. C

129Copy pinpoint129. Acting on the request made by the State of Goa by letters dated 7th January, 2015 and 5th February, 2015, the MoEF passed three orders on 20th March, 2015. We have already adverted to the contents of the orders passed on 20th March, 2015.

130Copy pinpoint130. The first order of 20 th March, 2015 is essentially a D communication documenting the variety of illegalities and irregularities committed by the mining lease holders and that the Government of India would be referring the cases for appropriate action and also requesting the Principal Secretary, Environment in the Government of Goa to take necessary action. E

131Copy pinpoint131. The second order of 20 th March, 2015 is an Office Memorandum to the effect that a project proponent will not be required to obtain a fresh environmental clearance at the time of renewal of the mining lease. This is misleading information and contrary to the decision of this Court in M.C. Mehta v. Union of India35 as well as the decision rendered in Common Cause v. Union of India.36 F

132Copy pinpoint132. It was held in Ambica Quarry Works v. State of Gujarat37, Rural Litigation and Entitlement Kendra v. State of U.P.38 and State of M.P. v. Krishnadas Tikaram 39 (which decisions were followed in M.C. Mehta) that the renewal of a lease, whether under the provisions of the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 or otherwise cannot be granted G without the lease holder complying with the necessary statutory 35 (2004)12 SCC 118 36 (2017) 9 SCC 499 37 (1987) 1 SCC 213 38 1989 Supp (1) SCC 504 39 1995 Supp (1) SCC 587 H

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A requirements particularly since the grant of renewal is a fresh grant and must be consistent with law. The principle of compliance with statutory provisions at the stage of renewal of a lease was re-affirmed in Common Cause in paragraphs 105 and 106 of the Report. In paragraph 188(2) of the Report it was categorically held as follows: B “(2) The renewal of a mining lease after 27-1-1994 will require an EC even if there is no expansion or modernisation activity or any increase in the pollution load.”

133Copy pinpoint133. The third order of 20th March, 2015 is extremely cryptic in the matter of lifting the abeyance order of 14th September, 2012 on C environmental clearances. While dealing with 35 mining leases for which environmental clearance had been granted under EIA 1994 and 37 mining leases for which environmental clearance had been granted under EIA 2006, the following is stated: “It has been decided in the Ministry that the EC issued under D 1994 notification in case they are valid and subsisting would not require fresh EC at the time of renewal (O.M. L-11011/15/ 2012-IA-II (M) dated 20.3.2015. Therefore it has been decided to lift abeyance on the 72 cases of which 35 cases had been granted EC under the provisions of EIA notification 1994 and 37 cases had been granted EC under EIA notification 2006.” E [Emphasis supplied by us].

134Copy pinpoint134. As mentioned above and as held in M.C. Mehta and Common Cause, the renewal of a lease after 27th January, 1994 would require an environmental clearance. Therefore, a mining lease holder having a valid environmental clearance obtained under EIA 1994 would still require a F fresh environmental clearance for renewal of the mining lease in 2014- 2015 as the case may be. That being so there is no doubt at all that the 35 cases referred to in the third order of 20th March, 2015 who had an environmental clearance under EIA 1994 did require a fresh environmental clearance at the time of renewal of the mining lease. Since they did not G have such a fresh environmental clearance the renewal of these 35 mining leases is clearly bad in law. Moreover, as held in M.C. Mehta and Common Cause the validity of an environmental clearance granted under EIA 1994 is only for five years. Therefore all environmental clearances granted under EIA 1994 had lost their validity before 2015, EIA 1994 having been replaced by EIA 2006. H

THE GOA FOUNDATION v. M/S SESA STERLITE LTD. & ORS. 435 [MADAN B. LOKUR, J.]

135Copy pinpoint135. As regards the 37 mining leases that had obtained A environmental clearance under EIA 2006, since the validity of the environmental clearance is for the estimated project life or a maximum of 30 years in terms of paragraph 9 of EIA 2006 therefore no violation can be found on the ground of validity for the time period. To this limited extent, no interference is necessary at this stage in respect of these 37 B mining leases. We make it clear, however, that this is subject to our conclusion that fresh mining leases were required to be granted by the State of Goa. Consequently, a mining lease holder obtaining a fresh mining lease would require a fresh environmental clearance in terms of EIA 2006.

136Copy pinpoint136. What is disturbing is that notwithstanding several and various violations, the MoEF granted environmental clearance to 72 mining leases. It seems to us that the MoEF acted without any application of mind in lifting the order placing all the environmental clearances in abeyance. Since the entire exercise carried out by the MoEF on 20th March, 2015 was mechanical, at the behest of the State of Goa, without due application of mind, without considering the multiple illegalities and irregularities committed by the mining lease holders or passing on the buck to the State of Goa and without considering relevant material such as the report of the EAC and the Expert Committee appointed by this Court, the exercise of lifting the abeyance order on 20th March, 2015 by the MoEF must be held void and as directed by the Court in Goa Foundation all the mining lease holders must obtain fresh environmental clearance for their mining project.

137Copy pinpoint137. We were informed by the learned Additional Solicitor General that show cause notices have now been issued to some mining lease holders demanding huge amounts - some running into hundreds of crores of rupees towards value of ore extracted in excess of the environmental clearance. We were handed over some sample show cause notices (about 12) issued in September and October 2017 and the figures are quite staggering – the demand raised being about Rs. 1500 crores! Similarly, from the Summary of Mining Audit Report submitted by the auditors (and handed over to us by the learned Additional Solicitor General – for the period July 2016 to December 2016) the amount demanded (including interest) by the State of Goa from the mining lease holders through show cause notices issued is about Rs. 1500 crores! And without making any serious attempt to recover such huge amounts, H

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A the State of Goa has granted second renewal of mining leases and the MoEF played ball by lifting the abeyance order in respect of the environment clearances. The inferences that can be drawn are quite obvious.

138Copy pinpoint138. We must emphasise that issues impacting society are required to be looked at holistically and not in a disaggregated manner. An overall perspective is necessary on such issues including issues that impact on the environment and the people of a community or a region or the State. It is for this reason that it is necessary to look at them broadly otherwise if that broader perspective is lost everyone will be a loser and no one will be a real beneficiary. One or two violations here and there may be wished away as inconsequential, but multiple violations by several persons can result in serious problems. As the novelist and philosopher Ayn Rand had said: We can evade reality, but we cannot evade the consequences of evading reality. Therefore, there is no doubt that the Mineral Policy, the Grant of Mining Leases Policy, the amendment to the MMDR Act, the report of the EAC and the report of the Expert Committee must be considered in the larger context of constitutionalism, the rule of law, environmental jurisprudence as well as the fundamental right of the people of Goa to have clean air and protection of the fragile ecology. Governance cannot and should not be carried out de hors the interests of the people and some uncomfortable decisions may be inevitable for balancing the equities. E

139Copy pinpoint139. Finally, a controversy (wholly unnecessary in our view) was raised with regard to the period of validity of the environmental clearance granted under EIA 1994. Firstly, in the view that we have taken, the validity period of an environmental clearance under EIA 1994 is academic since a fresh environmental clearance was necessary at the time of renewal of a lease. Secondly, the period of validity of an environmental clearance was considered in M.C. Mehta and it was clearly held that it is valid for 5 years only. In paragraph 77 of the Report it was observed: “We are unable to accept the contention that the notification dated 27-1-1994 would not apply to leases which come up for consideration for renewal after issue of the notification. The notification mandates that the mining operation shall not be undertaken in any part of India unless environmental clearance by the Central Government has been accorded. The clearance under the notification is valid for a period of five years. In none of the leases the requirements of the notification were H

THE GOA FOUNDATION v. M/S SESA STERLITE LTD. & ORS. 437 [MADAN B. LOKUR, J.]

complied with either at the stage of initial grant of the mining A lease or at the stage of renewal. Some of the leases were fresh leases granted after issue of the notification. Some were cases of renewal. No mining operation can commence without obtaining environmental impact assessment in terms of the notification.” [Emphasis supplied by us]. B A similar view was expressed in paragraph 87 in Common Cause. Any contrary view expressed in any notification issued by MoEF (including the notification of 15th January, 2016) cannot overrule decisions of this Court and is void to the extent that it does so.

140Copy pinpoint140. It was submitted that all relevant notifications on the subject had not been placed before the Court and hence an erroneous conclusion was arrived at with respect to EIA 1994. We propose to deal with the notifications placed before us.

141Copy pinpoint141. The notification of 27th January, 1994 (EIA 1994) deals with site clearance in paragraph 2.II(d). This provides, inter alia, that site clearance will be granted for a mining operation by the Central Government and that site clearance will be valid for a period of five years for commencing the operation or mining. Paragraphs 2.III(a) and 2.III(c) of the notification deal with the procedure for obtaining environmental clearance, but do not provide for the validity period of the environmental clearance. E

142Copy pinpoint142. A notification of 4th May, 1994 refers to the notification of th 27 January, 1994 and substitutes paragraph 2.III(c) therein and provides that the environmental clearance “shall be valid for a period of five years from commencement of the construction or operation.” What this provides, therefore, is that if environmental clearance is granted on a F particular date and the mining operation starts on a later date, then the validity of the environmental clearance commences from the later date and is valid for five years from that date. This was reiterated in the notification of 10th April, 1997.

143Copy pinpoint143. The validity of an environmental clearance is specifically G provided for in EIA 2006 in paragraph 9 thereof. As far as we are concerned, it provides that in respect of mining operations, the environmental clearance would be valid for the “project life as estimated by Expert Appraisal Committee or State Level Expert Appraisal Committee subject to a maximum of thirty years for mining projects….”. H

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144Copy pinpoint144. For no apparent reason and after EIA 2006, the issue of the validity of an environmental clearance granted under EIA 1994 was raked up and a notification was issued by the MoEF on 21st August, 2013 in which it was noted that the notification of 4th May, 1994 provided that “the clearance granted shall be valid for a period of five years from commencement of the construction or operation”. Another notification B of 21st August, 2013 goes on to say that the intent of the Central Government has been and has always been that the validity of the environmental clearance is for five years “for” commencement of the construction or operation and not that the environment clearance is only for five years “from” the commencement of construction or operation. C Therefore, the Central Government clarified in the notification of 21st August, 2013 that the expression “for a period of five years” shall mean “for a period of five years for commencement of the construction or operation and not five years from commencement of the construction or operation.” We do not see how this controversy really arises or its relevance to the present case, but we refer to it since submissions were made to explain the distinction between “for” five years and “from” five years in respect of the validity of an environmental clearance.

145Copy pinpoint145. It is perhaps sought to be contended that if environmental clearance is granted and mining operations commence within the five year period, then the environmental clearance under EIA 1994 is valid till the project or the mining lease period is over. We cannot see how such an inference can be drawn. Moreover, this submission overlooks the decisions in M.C. Mehta and Common Cause which accept the view that the validity of an environmental clearance granted under EIA 1994 is only five years as also the view that a valid environmental clearance is necessary for the renewal of a mining lease. No notification of the MoEF can overrule decisions of this Court. As far as EIA 2006 is concerned this submission is academic and not relevant since paragraph 9 of EIA 2006 provides that the environmental clearance would be valid for the estimated project life subject to a maximum of 30 years.

146Copy pinpoint146. Learned counsel for the mining lease holders also relied upon a decision of the Delhi High Court in S. N. Mohanty v. Union of India40 to contend that notwithstanding a notification issued by MoEF on 4th April, 2011 it was not obligatory for a mining lease holder to obtain a fresh environmental clearance at the time of renewal of a lease, if the 40 H 2012 SCC OnLine Del 4000

THE GOA FOUNDATION v. M/S SESA STERLITE LTD. & ORS. 439 [MADAN B. LOKUR, J.]

environmental clearance was subsisting. In that case, the petitioner had A an environmental clearance obtained under EIA 2006 on 15th January, 2007 and the first renewal of the mining lease was due on 2nd April,

2012. In that context, it was submitted that it was not necessary for the petitioner to obtain environmental clearance for renewal of the mining lease. The Delhi High Court took the view that: “… if a person has a B valid and subsisting EC [environmental clearance] at the point of time he seeks a renewal of the mining lease, he would still be required to obtain another EC prior to the grant of renewal by the respondents. That, in our view, is not the intent and purport of the Supreme Court directions in M.C. Mehta.” This question does not arise in the context of EIA 1994. C

147Copy pinpoint147. One final submission before us was that these cases be referred to a Bench of 9 learned judges since the constitutional validity of the Goa, Daman & Diu Mining Concessions (Abolition & Declaration of Mining Leases) Act, 1987 was under challenge in some cases and the decision in those cases would perhaps render the present proceedings D infructuous. In some of these pending cases, this Court had passed an order on 29th October, 2002 to await the decision of 9 learned judges in Property Owners’ Association v. State of Maharashtra.41 We are not at all inclined to accept this request and mention it only to reject it. Correctness of the decision of the High Court in Lithoferro E

148Copy pinpoint148. As far as the SLPs are concerned (SLP (C) No. 32138 of 2015 and SLP (C) Nos. 32699-32727 of 2015) we set aside the judgment and order dated 13th August, 2014 of the High Court in view of our conclusion that the State of Goa was required to grant fresh licences in terms of the decision of this Court in Goa Foundation. The High Court F proceeded on the erroneous basis that it could direct the State of Goa to grant a second renewal of the mining leases notwithstanding the direction in Goa Foundation. Conclusions and directions

149Copy pinpoint149. In view of our discussion, we arrive at the following G conclusions:

1. As a result of the decision, declaration and directions of this Court in Goa Foundation, the State of Goa was obliged to grant

41 (2013) 7 SCC 522 dated 20th February, 2002 H

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A fresh mining leases in accordance with law and not second renewals to the mining lease holders.

2. The State of Goa was not under any constitutional obligation to grant fresh mining leases through the process of competitive bidding or auction.

B 3. The second renewal of the mining leases granted by the State of Goa was unduly hasty, without taking all relevant material into consideration and ignoring available relevant material and therefore not in the interests of mineral development. The decision was taken only to augment the revenues of the State which is outside the purview of Section 8(3) of the MMDR Act. The second renewal of the mining leases granted by the State of Goa is liable to be set aside and is quashed.

4. The Ministry of Environment and Forest was obliged to grant fresh environmental clearances in respect of fresh grant of mining leases in accordance with law and the decision of this Court in Goa Foundation and not merely lift the abeyance order of 14th September, 2012.

5. The decision of the Bombay High Court in Lithoferro v. State of Goa (and batch) giving directions different from those given by this Court in Goa Foundation is set aside.

6. The mining lease holders who have been granted the second renewal in violation of the decision and directions of this Court in Goa Foundation are given time to manage their affairs and may continue their mining operations till 15th March, 2018. F However, they are directed to stop all mining operations with effect from 16th March, 2018 until fresh mining leases (not fresh renewals or other renewals) are granted and fresh environmental clearances are granted.

7. The State of Goa should take all necessary steps to grant fresh mining leases in accordance with the provisions of the Mines G and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957. The Ministry of Environment and Forest should also take all necessary steps to grant fresh environmental clearances to those who are successful in obtaining fresh mining leases. The exercise should be completed by the State of Goa and the Ministry of H Environment and Forest as early as reasonably practicable.

THE GOA FOUNDATION v. M/S SESA STERLITE LTD. & ORS. 441 [MADAN B. LOKUR, J.]

8. The State of Goa will take all necessary steps to ensure that the A Special Investigation Team and the team of Chartered Accountants constituted pursuant to the Goa Grant of Mining Leases Policy 2014 give their report at the earliest and the State of Goa should implement the reports at the earliest, unless there are very good reasons for rejecting them. B

9. The State of Goa will take all necessary steps to expedite recovery of the amounts said to be due from the mining lease holders pursuant to the show cause notices issued to them and pursuant to other reports available with the State of Goa including the report of Special Investigation Team and the team of Chartered Accountants. C

150Copy pinpoint150. The writ petitions and SLPs are disposed of in accordance with the above conclusions and directions.

Kalpana K. Tripathy Petitions disposed of. D