PANJIM, JULY 30
Chief Minister Digambar Kamat on Friday told Goa Assembly that the government has taken steps to curb illegal export of mineral ore.
The Captain of Ports (CoP) has been issued direction to allow a vessel carrying ore to sail only on submission of NOC from the Department of Mines vis-a-vis ore it wants to export. Similarly, chairman of Mormugao Port Trust (MPT) has also been asked to insist on NOC from ore exporters using Mormugao Port, Kamat told while replying to a question tabled during “Question Hour” by Mapusa MLA, Francis D’Souza. Also, Ministry of Shipping has been requested to grant permission to intervene, Kamat added.
D’Souza had pointed out disparities in royalty earned on ore exported as against ore extracted for a period between 2007 and 2009.
Leader of the Opposition, Manohar Parrikar suggested that the government needs to take tough stand against MPT chairman who has been hostile towards the state government on port expansion issue.
“Summon him to the police station and make him wait for eight hours, and you will get your work done and whole House will support chief minister in this endeavour against MPT chairman,” he said as he looked around the House seeking support from other members.
Perplexed Kamat though did not commit to Parrikar on this point said he will consider his suggestion.
The Chief Minister also told that they have already started checking movement of ore. Instructions have been given to identify all mining dumps within fifteen days and to take action against unauthenticated dumps. “Directions have been issued to take over such dumps and auction them,” he said.
He further said exercise of verification of lease holders has also been started – 60 per cent of the work completed and Rs 1 crore has been recovered. Also documents received from Customs department are verified to check if ore was been illegally exported.
