The three member committee constituted to monitor iron ore e-auction in the state was directed to submit detailed compliance report within six months. It would be meeting Principal Secretary Mines Pawan Kumar Sen and Director Mines Prasanna Acharya.
on Friday and Saturday respectively.
The committee will prepare detailed report on e-auction proceedings, the distribution of sale value of e-auction including average cost of excavation to mining companies, 50 percent of the wages to the laid off workers and funds under Goan Iron Ore Permanent Fund.
A report on the government drafted Goa Mining Leases Policy and other actions initiated, especially under Section 37 and 38 of Mineral Concession Rule 1961, as per the judgment would be submitted to the court this month.
A senior official confirmed that the committee will be in Goa till Saturday, wherein it will collect all the required information as per the apex court directives. “They have to submit a six months compliance report,” officials said.
A total 15 million tons of ore was identified by the committee for e-auction, which was due to be auctioned by October. However, falling international prices forced the state government to hold back the entire process. “So far total 5 million tons of ore is been auctioned and revenue of around Rs 620 crore has been collected,” an official said, adding government is waiting for the prices to stabilize before going ahead. The details would be produced before the committee, the official added.
The committee would be also informed about government’s decision to renew mining leases under Section 8(3) of the Mines and Minerals Development and Regulation (MMDR) Act 1957, the official said. He also added that as directed by the court, show-cause notices are being issued to 54 mining lease holders for violation of sections 37 and 38 of MCR.
Meanwhile, the expert committee appointed to decide the capping of iron ore for the state and how the dumps should be dealt with, would be arriving in Goa next week. The committee has to give report on dumps this month, while the capping report has to be submitted in April next year.
