Goa expects to make Rs 1500 cr by e-auctioning extracted ore

Panaji: The Goa government is expecting toearn revenue to a tune of Rs 1,500 crore from e-auctioningof extracted iron ore, which is lying at various jetties andmining sites across the state due to the mining ban.The Supreme Court, in an interim order issued yesterdayhad approved setting up of a monitoring committee which willverify the quantities of ore extracted by mining companiesbefore the mining ban and lying on leases and jetties in theform of stacks presently.

The court had ordered that the stock be e-auctioned andthe money be deposited in a bank account where itsdisbursementto the ore owner would be done after the final order on thepetition in connection with the illegal mining in Goa.Parrikar told reporters last evening that nearly 11.48

million tonnes of extracted ore is lying unused at variousjetties, which can be e-auctioned as per the apex court order.The state will also e-auction, 1.22 metric tonnes ofconfiscated ore which was lying unaccounted outside severallease areas.

Also, there is additional 2.68 MT of ore which isunaccounted and apparently owned by several traders at variousplaces, which also can be e-auctioned.Taking all the ore in account, Parrikar said the statewill have nearly 15.3 MT of ore ready for e-auction which willgenerate total revenue of Rs 10,000 crore.

“But excluding the royalty and other taxes to be paid tothe Centre, the state will be able to earn Rs 1500 crore,” theChief Minister added.

The auctioning process may start within next one month,he said.Parrikar said that the interim order has come as a majorrelief for people dependent on mining, who can now start theireconomic activity after a gap of more than a year.

PTI