Cheating, theft case filed against Bagadiya Brothers
TEAM HERALD
PANJIM: Despite the government’s tall claims of having cleansed and streamlined mining operations, export of ore is reeking with illegalities, since on Monday a case of cheating and theft has been filed against Singapore-based Bagadiya Brothers Pvt Ltd, which were issued an NOC by the government to ship 71,500 metric tons of iron ore.
The case was registered, by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the Crime branch (CB), after a complaint was filed by the Mines Department, the NOC issuing authority, which points to either a lack of communication between the various stakeholders involved or bungling between the authorities.
According to sources, the company which had exported 49,765 metric tons of iron ore from Goa to China from February to October 2011, had forged an NOC in the name of Mines Department and did not pay the full royalty of Rs Rs 66 lakh. Instead they paid only Rs 6 lakh.
It has come to light that the Mines Department had apparently not imposed any penalty on Bagadiya Brothers, which had to be 10 times the actual royalty, resulting in a loss of Rs 59,67,324 to the government exchequer.
This is the first shipment to be exported after almost two years after Bagadiya Brothers won the first export shipping permission of the iron ore, which they acquired through e-auction.
The complaint alleges that the company had hidden certain facts about the company with the Directorate of Mines & Geology during the e-auctioning process, and also involved in illegalities, the complaint alleged. The company is said to have a criminal case already registered against them in Chattisgarh.
The SIT has registered an offence under sections 379, 465, 468, 471 and 120-B of the Indian penal Code, section 4(1-A), 9 read with sections 21 (1)(5) of Mines and Mineral (Development & Development) Act, 1957; sub rule 2(G), 3, 5(2) read with Rule 7 of Goa Prevention of Illegal Mining Transportation & Storage of Minerals Rules, 2004; Rule 45 (13) of Minerals Conservation & Development Rules 1988 and sections 7, 12 and 13 of the Prevention of Corruption Act.
A senior officer said the SIT has sought details from the Mines Department in connection with the case and in the next couple of days, arrests of concerned officials involved in the case are likely.
Until Monday, out of the total 71,500 metric tons of ore, 35,000 metric tons was loaded onto the ship for export. According to officials, the entire consignment will leave for China within the next two days.
