TEAM HERALD
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PANJIM: In an opinion that could be a dampener to the Union Mines Ministry’s plans of e-auction ore in all mineral-rich States, Goa Government on Wednesday clarified that it will not go ahead with e-auction of any mineral in future stating that “it’s not feasible for the government to do business”.
“After these 15 million metric tons of ore which would be e-auctioned as per Supreme Court guidelines, the State will not go for any more e-auctions. It is not feasible for the state government,” Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar told media persons Wednesday evening.
Parrikar, who is the Mines Minister, said that e-auction is not the job of the government, considering Goa’s circumstances like village, villagers, transportation and other aspects. “Government is not meant for doing business,” he stated.
Chief Minister said that if required they would also write to Supreme Court seeking relaxation on the same.
The Union Mines Ministry in its May 5 letter, has sought comments from Goa government for adoption of the e-auction procedure for iron and manganese ore to overcome the under reporting of sale prices of minerals.
The letter sent by Secretary Mines, Pawan Kumar Sen has sought the State’s reply at the earliest. The issue would be discussed during the Ministry’s Coordination-cum-Empowered Committee (CEC) on Mineral Development and Regulation meeting on May 15, Thursday.
Responding to the letter, the Chief Minister questioned “who is the Mines Ministry to tell us what method is to be adopted when Supreme Court itself has given powers to State to decide on mining and its related activities”.
Meanwhile, considering the fall in iron ore prices in the international market, Parrikar said that he might approach the Apex Court seeking more time to complete the e-auction of the 15 million metric tons of ore. As per Supreme Court directives, the monitoring committee has to submit report on completion of e-auction by October 21.
So far, three phases of e-auction have already been undertaken with State selling nearly 2 million metric tons of ore at a price value of Rs 325 crore. Parrikar said that that the balance ore would be e-auctioned only from July.
