PANJIM: Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Monday said that the four iron-ore mining blocks, which were auctioned during the first phase, may start activities in the current financial year 2023-24. The submission was also made before the NITI Aayog, the Centre’s apex public policy think tank, in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, last week.
Speaking to O Heraldo, Sawant said that mining activities will commence in this financial year and the blocks which were auctioned in December, can start some activities.
Sawant said that he has sought all the support from the Centre for resumption of the iron ore activities. All the four mining blocks require requisite permissions including the Environment Clearances (ECs).
The first auction of four iron ore mineral blocks – Mulgao, Sirigao-Mayem and Monte-de-Sirigao, all in Bicholim Taluka and Kalay mine in Sanguem Taluka was held in December 2022.
Vedanta Ltd had won the bid for Bicholim-Mulgao mining block that has got over 84 million tonnes of iron ore reserve available for extraction while Goa based Salgaocar Shipping Company Pvt Ltd won bid for Shirigao-Mayem mineral block having 24 million tonnes ore reserve.
Goa’s Rajaram Bandekar Pvt Ltd got its hold over Monte-de-Sirigao mining block that has 10 million tonnes of ore available for extraction and Kalay Mining block went to Sociedade De Fomento Industries Private Limited.
Speaking to mediapersons, Sawant said that during the meeting he raised issues pertaining to mining, tourism and industries and sought necessary Central assistance.
Speaking further, the Chief Minister said that the State is considering implementing ‘Parivar Pehchan Patra’ scheme to provide unique identity to each family in the State. The scheme is brainchild of Haryana government.
He also said that States namely Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh have introduced CM-Dashboard, which can be also replicated in Goa.
Meanwhile, Union Minister for State for Finance Bhagwat Karad made a presentation highlighting the various developmental works and human development initiated by Narendra Modi-led government in last nine years.
Goa Foundation ridicules CM’s statement
Responding to Sawant’s statement on resumption of mining activity, Goa Foundation Director Claude Alvares asked, “How can iron-ore mining operations start without obtaining all the clearances and holding public hearings?
“The government should not do anything in a hurry which will be against the law and can further ban the mining activities. Mining operations can start but not immediately, but only after following all the procedures. The government should not repeat the past mistakes,” he said.
