Team Herald
PORVORIM: Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar on Wednesday refused to give details on the iron ore exported from Goa in last four years stating that it is “outside the purview of State government”.
However, Parsekar, himself, has admitted on the Floor of the House, the Government monitors the sale and export of iron on regular basis.
“The export of any commodity is outside the purview of State Government,” Parsekar, the State Mines Minister has said replying to a question tabled by Leader of Opposition Pratapsingh Rane.
Rane, had sought to know the quantum of iron ore exported during the financial year 2012-13, 2013-14, 2014-15, 2015-16 from the ports namely Panjim and Mormugao Port Trust.
Chief Minister’s claim comes despite the fact that the department of mines and geology (DMG) issues export permits and collect royalty on every ton of ore that is exported.
While in one question Chief Minister has said that is not within State purview, in a reply to another question by Independent MLA Atanasio Monserrate, he has informed that State monitors the sale and export of ore from Goa.
Meanwhile, Parsekar informed the House that more than half of the identified ore is lying unsold in the e-auction process held from February 2014, till April, 2016.
As per the data, total 7.22 million tonnes of iron ore is unsold in the e-auction process. Government had identified total 15 million tonnes of ore for e-auction.
