Team Herald
PANJIM: The State government will conduct e-auction of around two million tonnes of extracted ore lying at various jetties and other locations in the State, while iron ore transportation will start from October this year.
Speaking to mediapersons after the Cabinet meeting, Sawant said that it will be the 30th e-auction of mining dumps conducted by the Directorate of Mines and Geology. This ore will be auctioned in four lots and is lying at different locations. It is likely to be sold at an average price of Rs 895 per ton based on the grade of the ore.
Sawant said that ore transportation will commence from October and exuded confidence that mining activity will start in full-fledged manned by November-December this year. Mining has already commenced at one of the mining blocks, which was e-auctioned in first phase, he said.
Interest under OTS for Mormugao council waived
The Cabinet approved a proposal to waive interest under one-time settlement for the Mormugao municipal council to the Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd (HPCL).
Sawant said that it was a long pending issue between the Mormugao Municipal Council and the oil company over the outstanding dues. The oil company has now returned around 7,800 square metres of land and cleared pending outstanding dues of Rs 15 crore.
The cabinet also approved a proposal to allot shops to 18 leases in the new market complex of Goa Housing Board at Porvorim.
Minimum land rate
in Pernem and
Bardez Talukas hiked
The Cabinet approved a proposal to revise minimum rate per square metre of land in the two talukas of Pernem and Bardez.
Sawant said that the rate has been hiked from Rs 3,000 per square metres to Rs 8,000 per square metres. However, for land below 500 square metres, old rate of Rs 3,000 per square metres will be applicable but those who acquire the land for commercial use, the minimum rate will be Rs 8,000 per square metres.
The decision has been taken in view of increasing revenue for the government, given the growing rate of development in these two talukas, informed Sawant.
Tree felling fee reduced to Rs 400 per tree
The State government has reduced the tree felling fee to Rs 400 per tree. The fee was hiked to Rs 1,000 in January 2024. Similarly, the security deposit for ensuring regeneration of the areas and re-plantation of trees or otherwise has been reduced to Rs 400 per tree in case on an individual and Rs 1,000 per tree in other cases, by amending the rules of The Goa Preservation of Trees Rules, 2024.
The earlier security deposit was Rs 1,000 per tree in case of an individual and Rs 5,000 per tree in other cases.