PANJIM: The Directorate of Mines and Geology (DMG) has issued reminder recovery notices to the mining firms involved in illegal mining. The notices are issued based on the audit report prepared by a team of chartered accountants on illegal mining.
In the last year, since April 2021, DMG has been able to recover less than 30 per cent of the total Rs 360 crore, after the notices were issued. Many mining companies approached the Union Ministry for Mines challenging the recovery notices issued to them.
Speaking to Herald, Director of Mines Suresh Shanbhogue said the reminder notices to the mining companies have been issued to recover the pending dues, as per the CA report.
“We have issued reminders to pay the pending amount, failing which the action as per MMDR Act will be initiated,” he said.
As per sources, if the said mining company does not pay the amount within 60 days from the issuance of this notice, then an interest of 18 per cent will be added to the pending amount.
Section 21(5) of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act (MMDR) empowers the State Government to recover the price of the illegally-mined mineral.
In 2015, the State government appointed 15 chartered accountants to undertake a comprehensive audit of leaseholders and traders of mineral ore in Goa during the past five years, when exports touched a peak.
The accountants had submitted an audit report of 118 mining leases to the Mines Department. The report of the CAs was analysed by the Mines Department to ascertain the exact loss due to illegal mining.
NGO Goa Foundation had approached the Bombay High Court at Goa seeking directions from the State government to recover Rs 3,431 crore from mining companies within a time-bound period. The Court had accordingly directed the State to decide on the recovery.
