Sudesh Narayna Gaonkar And 2 ORS v. Directorate Of Mines And Geology, Thr. The Director And 6 ORS
Suchitra
IN THE HIGH COURT OF BOMBAY AT GOA
PIL WRIT PETITION NO.2/2023 SUDESH NARAYNA GAONKAR AND 2 ORS.
... PETITIONERS
Versus
DIRECTORATE OF MINES AND GEOLOGY, THR. THE DIRECTOR AND 6 ORS.
... RESPONDENTS Ms Norma Alvares, Senior Advocate with Mr Om D'Costa and Ms Malisa Simoes, Advocates for the Petitioners. Mr D. Pangam, Sr.Adv./AG with Ms Maria Correia, AGA for the State.
CORAM:
A. S. CHANDURKAR & NIVEDITA P. MEHTA, JJ.
DATE:
19th MARCH 2025 P.C.:
1.
he present proceedings in public interest concern the proper functioning of the District Mineral Foundation in terms of Section 9B of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957. For the Districts of North Goa and South Goa such District Mineral Foundations have been set up. Pursuant to various directions issued in the present proceedings, setting up a dedicated website for these District Mineral Foundations was under consideration. It has come on record that on 26.11.2024 and 04.12.2024 administrative approval and expenditure sanction has been conveyed to the Goa Electronics Limited for the design, development and maintenance of the website for a period of three years. Learned Advocate General submits that the said website for the North Goa
and South Goa District Mineral Foundations would be operational by April 2025. Statement is accepted.
2.
As regards the issue of setting up an Executive Secretariat for the District Mineral Foundations, it is informed that on 28.11.2024 an advertisement was issued by the District Mineral Foundation for South Goa for illing in the posts of Accountant as well as Assistant. he learned Advocate General submits that the recruitment process in this regard would be completed by the end of May 2025. his would indicate that the Executive Secretariat for the District Mineral Foundations would be constituted.
3.
he learned Senior Advocate appearing for the petitioners submits that with the setting up of a dedicated website for the District Mineral Foundations and also constitution of the Executive Secretariat, the principal grievances raised by the petitioners stand redressed. She further submits that the Ministry of Mines has set up a ten member committee for considering suggestions from the members of the public in the matter of implementation of the revised Pradhan Mantri Khanij Kshetra Kalyan Yojana (PMKKKY) Guidelines, 2024. She therefore submits that in case of any further suggestions/grievances, the petitioners may be granted liberty to approach the said committee and further if required to approach this Court.
We ind that in view of various directions issued by this Court from time to time the purpose of iling the present proceedings in public interest has been achieved. he petitioners are at liberty to approach the ten member committee in case any suggestions are required to be made in the matter of implementation of the PMKKKY Guidelines, 2024. Needless to state that in case of any fresh grievance the petitioners are free to seek legal redress in accordance with law.
4.
he PIL Writ Petition is thus disposed of as having served its purpose.
NIVEDITA P. MEHTA, J.
A. S. CHANDURKAR, J.
Signed by: SUCHITRA NANDAN SINGBAL Designation: Personal Assistant Date: 20/03/2025 13:13:03