TEAM HERALD
PANJIM: The controversial mining leases operated by Damodar Mangalji and Baddrudin Mavani, and whose power of attorney is currently being executed by Timblo Pvt Ltd, are among around 88 mining lease holders who have been asked to pay stamp duty for the second renewal of their leases.
These lessees had been ticked off for being “illegally operational” by the Justice M B Shah Commission and Supreme Court’s Central Empowered Committee (CEC) in its inquiry report on illegal mining in Goa.
The state’s oldest mining company – Damodar Mangalji and Company Limited – is being investigated for carrying out illegal iron ore extraction without seeking permission from the mining lease, which was declared a deemed lease. The company owned by Gujarati businessmen, has been asked to pay stamp duty for its three leases bearing TC No 18/53, 95/52, 01/55 and 33/53.
These leases belonging to Mangalji already stand cancelled by the Mines Department for failing to apply for the first renewal on November 22, 1988.
On the other hand, mining magnate Radha Timblo has been indicted by the Shah Commission in 2012 for illegally operating a mining lease with a questionable power of attorney executed by a Pakistani national, which is a violation of the Mining Concession Rules, 1960.
“The ownership and control of the said lease, Timblo Pvt Ltd, was justified by Mrs Timblo by producing before the state government another power of attorney dated November 5, 1997, stated to have been executed by Mavani in favour of Radha S Timblo. In the said power of attorney, it is mentioned that Mavani is staying in Karachi, Pakistan,” the CEC report had said, adding that the power of attorney was neither notarized, nor signed in the presence of witnesses.
Directorate of Mines and Geology had issued demand notices to nearly 88 mining lessees to pay the stamp duty for second renewal of their mining leases. Accordingly, more than half of the lease holders have paid their stamp duty.
Most of the leases belong to Sesa Goa (12), followed by V M Salgaocar (10), Chowgule and Co Ltd (10), Dempo Companies (7) and Sociedade Timblo Irmaos (7).
