SC sends notices, does not stop iron ore export

GOANEWS DESK, PANAJI | 21 January 2013 22:29 IST

The Supreme Court today sent notices to all the authorities and the mining company, but did not stop export of iron from Goa.

The mines department has thus decided to continue export of Maharashtra iron ore through Goa.

Goa Foundation had approached the supreme court about export of 72,000 metric tonnes of iron ore being exported from Goa, claiming that it is from Maharashtra.

The matter would be now heard on 15 February, almost after 25 days.

The mines department allowing export of iron ore, supposedly brought from Sindhudurg district of Maharashtra by Prime Minerals, was brought to light last week.

Based on this, Goa Foundation had approached the Supreme Court on last Friday. The case was heard today.

Goa Foundation requested the court to direct Goa government not to allow transportation of any iron ore within and from Goa.

Also the court was requested to suspend all iron ore exports from Goa.

Goa Foundation also brought to the notice that the supreme court had imposed blanket ban on mining activities in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka.

Attention was drawn to the statement made by chief minister Manohar Parrikar that all the iron ore from outside Goa would be routed through Goa.

According to Goa Foundation, it means Goa government would permit many more such exports from Goa and it would be a mockery of court order.

The Supreme court however did not order immediate suspension of the iron ore export.

As a result, the Fomento-related company would complete the process of exporting 72,000 metric tonnes of iron ore from Sirsaim.

Mines director Prasanna Acharya also confirmed that it would allow the company to continue the export.

Next hearing of the matter has been now fixed for 15th February, almost after 25 days.

Following grounds were cited by Goa Foundation, while requesting the court to stop the export of iron ore from Goa, even that brought in from Maharashtra or any other state:

a) Chief Secretary, Goa, has already submitted before the CEC that records of the past five years of mining in the State of Goa are in a shambles.

b) State of Goa has been unable to produce any authenticated report or survey of mining dumps and stacks of ore in the state, including source/owner. The matter is under investigation.

c) Application for transport and export has been allowed on the basis of statement made by the exporter and is not based on any records available with the Director of Mines. There appears to be no verification done as to the correctness of the application, which is necessary in view of order of this Hon’ble Court. This is in fact stated in the order itself. There is no evidence that the ore has originated in Maharashtra. Even if this is so, the order dated 5.10.2012 is a blanket order.

d) If these orders are permitted to stand, nothing will come in the way of further orders of this nature being issued since the mining lessees and the Department continue to be in collusion and continue to exercise undue influence on the Government of Goa.

e) In any event, State of Goa was duty bound to approach this Hon'ble Court for appropriate order to allow transportation and export. Petitioner would have had opportunity to oppose the same. The State of Goa however seems to have no concerns of the cognizance of illegality taken by this Hon’ble Court.

f)This Hon’ble Court in the case of the illegal mining in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh had passed a blanket order prohibiting all mining activities in the States thus preventing any illegalities or contempts.

g) The Chief Minister Mr. Manohar Parrikar on 14.01.2013 has said that all the mineral ore excavated outside the state would be allowed to be routed through Goa for its export. Therefore, it is apparent that the State is going to permit many such transportations and exports of ore allegedly extracted from outside the State, thus making a complete mockery of the Order passed by this Hon’ble on 5th October 2012. CEC has asked the Government of Goa to keep the said permission for export in abeyance. 


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