TEAM HERALD
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PANJIM: Cavrem villagers, who exposed the difference of 5 lakh metric tons in the government inventory of iron ore stacked at the mining lease run by Dinar Tarcar, have now accused the Directorate of Mines and Geology of denying information pertaining to the inventory of the ore ready for e-auction and stacked in various parts of the State under Right to Information (RTI) Act.
However, the DMG has rubbished the allegations stating that ‘the applicants are free to appeal before the first appellate authority if they feel that the replies were not provided.’
Cavrem panch Ravindra Velip, who had filed an RTI application on May 13, has alleged that the Assistant Director of Mines Parag Nagarsekar refused to allow inspection of any files pertaining to the inspection and inventories of iron ore stacked at different parts of the State, which would be auctioned as per Supreme Court guidelines.
Following Director of Mines Prasanna Acharya’s assurance, Velip had on May 13 afternoon submitted an application under the RTI Act asking for inspection of certain files and for the certified copies which would be identified during the inspection. However, even after repeated visits, Assistant Director Nagarsekar (who is also the Public Information Officer) intentionally delayed inspection of the files and certified copies, he alleged.
Velip said after a call from the Directorate of Mines on June 12 he went to inspect the files but the Assistant Director of Mines refused the same and instead handed over copies of some documents and a one-page reply stating that there are no specific files pertaining to most of the information requested. Similarly, inspection of some files was denied stating that the matter is dealt through e-governance and directly by the Director of Mines.
“This shows that the Department of Mines failed to maintain essential documentation regarding the inventory of ore, auction of ore, and its transportation leaving big procedural loopholes, and is intentionally hiding the information,” he said.
However, when contacted, Nagarsekar stated that all the replies have been provided as per the request. “Whatever information they had sought through RTI has been provided. If they feel that the information is denied then they are free to go in appeal,” he said.
