TEAM HERALD
NEW DELHI: An official stand taken by the government in the Lok Sabha on Monday belies the general perception of the rampant illegal mining in Goa as there are very few cases registered in the last four years.
In reply to a question by Chandrakant Khaire and Rama Devi, Minister of State for Mines Vishnu Deo Sai disclosed that there were 13 cases of illegal mining of both major and minor minerals in 2010-11, but only one case each in 2011-12 and 2013-14 and none in 2012-13. The total fine realised by the State government from this illegal activity is Rs 1.91 lakh.
In contrast, Maharashtra accounts for the highest cases of illegal mining year after year – 34,265 in 2010-11, 40,642 in 2011-12, 42,918 in 2012-13 and 23,217 in 2013-14, and Andhra Pradesh coming second with 13,939, 19,913, 16,592 and 5137 cases during the respective years.
In reply to another question by Nishikant Dubey, the minister disclosed that only 457.33 million tonnes of “Hematite” iron ore remains in Goa as against 469.84 million tonnes brought out so far.
As regards the “Magnetite” iron ore, only 15.68 million tonnes have been extracted so far as against the remaining resources of 207 million tonnes.
