Mine owners deny 'loot' of Rs 35,000 Cr

PTI, PANAJI | 27 October 2012 19:06 IST

Goa's mining lease owners and exporters today claimed that the Shah Commission report estimating a loss of Rs 35,000 crore to the exchequer due to illegal mining in the last 12 years was a "notional" figure.

Justice M B Shah Commission has stated that "the actual loss to the state from each mine and other illegal mining should be calculated based on ground realities by a team of experts," said Goa Mineral Ore Exporters Association (GMOEA) President Shivanand Salgaoncar.

The judicial panel has recommended that encroachments outside mining leases should be verified with the help of latest 3D laser measurement equipment and taking into account other relevant factors, he said.

"This loss is absolutely notional. Nobody has quoted Justice Shah completely. The actual loss should be calculated based on ground realities by a team of experts with the help of latest 3D equipment," he told reporters here.

"Each passing day, more and more missiles are fired at us. So it is imperative for us to clarify about the notional loss of Rs 35,000 crore to the State Government that has been attributed to us in the Shah Commission," Salgaoncar said.

Responding to a question, he said investigations into irregularities should be completed as soon as possible so that people connected with mining industry get on with their life.

The mine owners said they have submitted response to all issues raised by the Centre-appointed Commission, which has pointed out illegalities in Goa's mining sector.

P K Mukherjee, Managing Director of Sesa GoaBSE 0.15 %, a key player in the sector, said mine owners will take all possible legal recourse to ensure mining starts in the state.

"Supreme Court or any other court, we will take our issues to appropriate forums," he said.

Ambar Timblo, MD of Fomento Resources, said Goa's mining industry is passing through a critical time. Mining was stopped without hearing the parties concerned. "We need to correct public perception about mining in the country and not try and challenge things."

The State Government last month suspended all mining leases after the Supreme Court ordered halting of extraction and transportation of iron ore in Goa.


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Dear Mr Kenkre,

You think the miners are doing a big favor on Goa by digging and exporting a valuable resource? Are you wet dreaming?

The whole mining industry should be nationalized and the revenue should be redistributed to people in terms of infrastructure, etc.

Your mining mafias are hoarding it in Swiss banks.

- Antonio, Goa | 30 th October 2012 06:06

 

It is not right to blame somebody without proven guilty.We have to understand that these entrepreneur have generated lot of employement and brought revenue to the state by making the mined ore a productive asset which otherwise would have been a dead asset if not mined.I think a proper investigation is required by hearing all the stakeholders to reach to a conclusion.Maturiy should prevail over irrational emotional outburst.

Anyway Quick solution is required to resolve this crisis which is affecting the goan families dependent on mining to protect their survival.

- Yatin Kenkre, Goa | 29 th October 2012 12:10

 

How much is the loot then, according to you guys?

And what you and your chamchaas are doing to preserve Goan environment and mine in sustainable way?

- Antonio, Goa | 28 th October 2012 02:17

 

Unfortunately, all the hue and cry on mining in Goa has been caused largely as Shah Commission used inaccurate methods like low-accuracy hand-held GPS superimposed on Google Earth which has an inbuilt error to determine encroachment of working mining pits. This shifts the location of lease boundaries and makes it appear that the mining pits lie outside the lease area resulting in calculation of 578 Ha 'encroached' area. Shah commission also used high values in parameters to calculate value of ore mined in the 578 hectares 'encroached' area. Assuming realistic parameters the projected figures of 127 mill. tons and Rs.35,000 crores seems overestimated by at least ten times. And if the encroached figure of 578.42 Ha itself is non-existent, it means no ore was illegally produced and no ‘loss’ has occurred to the State. An accurate survey will establish this.

- Deepak, Goa | 27 th October 2012 21:38

 

Culprits never accept their crimes. It is but natural for Mr. Salgaoncar to deny and twist the words or interprit the report to his benefits. But the Goans know very well that this arrogant mining lobby will scream at the top of their voice that they are not the looters. He says that there are missiles fired againt them. People fire bullets against rogues!

And, Why not? Thank God, they were not lethal! I would,say It was the first trial round by few concerned Goans. But the second round by the public as well as Government and judiciary will not only be lethal but effective and the mining In Goa would be banned forever!

These few families in Goa have looted Goa's resources for years now in collusion with Goan Corrupt Politicians. All the political parties have backed these mine owner families, who have accumulated huge cash. Today each and every MLA is A crorepati. From where this income is generated? What is that mysterious and magical business they are involved that they become millionaires within a short span of life? Say within five years? Can they disclose their modus Operandi? Is it that magic word "bribery"?

The mining lobby instead of returning the loot are portraying their arrogance stating that the Shah commission never mentioned them as looters! Wherein they know very well that the recovery by the concerned authorities is a distant reality. Still, to show that they are right and in legal mining business they pronounce as right and authentic. To commence their business, today these mining lobby are instigating the barge, truck owners and other petty occupationists to go on the street to demand and start the mining. Be it legal or illigal. They are the ones who make believe these innocent workers that mining is their only source of survival.

Nothing is gong to happen to Goans and those workers if the mining is stopped. Only these few mining families are going to be cash strapped and their fat is going to be trimmed!

Come what may, there must be a movement for the recovery of these 35000 crores and entire mining banned. Each and every Goan should come to the streets of Goa in support of the recovery of this loot from these mine owners and complete ban on mining.. They should be forced to pay the looted wealth to Goans. They have destroyed Goa. The huge pits at Sirigao, Revona, Surla are the proof of loot and destruction of mother Goa. All the villagers should be compensated by these mine owners for the destruction caused by them for the village fields, wells and other natural resources. Goans do not need mining for survival. There are several other occupations, professions to earn their living. We need to preserve our resources for future generations to come.

- Ratikant, Uae | 27 th October 2012 21:27

 

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