Team Herald
PANJIM: The Directorate of Mines and Geology (DMG) has withdrawn permissions granted for crushing and screening of ore at the site where it was lying at the time of e-auction.
The DMG had earlier this month granted final opportunity to the successful bidders to lift the e-auctioned ore, lying at various original locations, by March 31, failing which had warned to forfeit the minerals.
In an order issued on February 25, Director Mines Suresh Shanbhogue said that permissions granted by the Directorate for crushing and screening of the ore stands withdrawn with immediate effect.
The DMG has said that crushing and screening of ore at the original location of the e-auctioned lot is not permitted and that the cargo should be lifted as it is from the original site.
Since January 2014, the department has so far sold around 15 million tonnes of ore through 27 e-auctions, generating revenue of Rs 1,500 crore.
The e-action procedure prescribes a maximum period of not more than 60 days to lift the cargo once auctioned. However, the DMG observed that some of the cargo is yet to be lifted from the original location by the winning bidders or by the persons, holding the cargo by virtue of sale by the winning bidder/s through a sale permit issued by the department.
The DMG has said that the failure to lift the cargo by March 31, would force the department to forfeit the same along with the amount paid during the e-auction without giving any further notice.
