PANJIM: In a bid to help out the iron ore mining industry, which is yet to resume operations for the current season, the Goa government has petitioned the Union Ministry of Mines to drop the export duty on the 60Fe content grade ore, thus making it competitive for export.
Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar, who met Union Mines Minister Narendra Singh Tomar and Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan, in New Delhi, also sought their support to Goa government’s plea before the Supreme Court for a rise in annual iron ore production cap from the existing 20 million tonnes to 30 million tonnes.
Speaking to Herald, Parrikar said, “Currently the export duty on low grade ore up to 58Fe content is zero percent. We have asked to extend the same till 60Fe content,” he said, adding that State will also write to Union Finance Ministry on the subject.
The Chief Minister raised serious concern over delay in resumption of mining activities in the State before Tomar. “The delay is attributed to falling international market prices. Hence, we have asked to slash the export duty, as this will help the miners extracting 60Fe content ore, to export,” he explained.
The new mining season, which was supposed to commence in October, is yet to resume. Falling international prices, coupled with double and high taxation, has made miners reluctant to resume activities.
Parrikar also sought support of the Union Mines Ministry and MoEF&CC to its plea before the Supreme Court for a rise in the annual production cap. “The issue here is of employment creation and revenue generation for State. The 20 million tonnes cap is not feasible in the current scenario. We have moved the Supreme Court to increase the cap to 30 million tonnes,” he said, and added, “In order to make our case strong, we have sought support from both the Ministries.”
Parrikar discussed various issues relating to environmental clearances to government projects with Harsh Vardhan.
