Centre expects Goa mining to resume by Nov
PTI, NEW DELHI | 25 September 2013 23:21 IST
Mines minister Dinshaw J. Patel said he expects the Goa mining ban issue to be resolved by November.
A blanket ban was imposed on all mining operations in Goa on 5 October last year in response to a petition filed by non-profit organization Goa Foundation.
The Supreme court resumed hearing the Goa illegal mining case on a daily basis on 17 September.
Iron ore production in the country has fallen over the years — from 208 million tonnes (mt) in 2010-11 to 140 mt in 2012-13, Patel said at a conference in New Delhi.
Meanwhile, the Mines Ministry said it has given its recommendations on export duty on iron ore but the final call will be taken by the Finance Ministry.
"Commerce and Finance departments are now involved with the issue on iron ore export duty. What is to be done, would be done by them. We have given our representation,"Mines Minister Dinsha Patel said on the sidelines of an industry event here.
It had earlier proposed to the Finance Ministry to reduce export duty on iron ore, which now stands at 30 per cent, as a result of drastic fall in shipments of the steel-making raw material.
Stating that there was no shortage of iron ore in the country to meet the demand of domestic steel makers, Patel said there would be no problem to meet the demand even in 2020 when India is expected to produce 200 million tonne steel.
"There has been fall in production I admit, but this is because of Court in Karnataka and Goa. Mining has also started in Karnataka. 'A' categorised mines have stated production. Production in 'B' category mines also need to be started," he said.
Regarding Goa, where mining has been stopped now, Patel said consultancy meeting among various ministries have already taken place and, hopefully, by the end of October or in November, the problem would be sorted out.
AAM AADMI PARTY MUST EXPOSE MOPA LAND SCAM AND MINING SCAM IN GOA. THESE 2 AGENDAS ENOUGH TO WIN AAP IN GOA.