Goa Chief Minister Digamber Kamat assured of strict action against illegal mining activities after the opposition BJP brought the issue to the notice of the assembly on Monday.
During the question hour in the session, leader of opposition Manohar Parrikar said illegal mining business had been to the tune of Rs 250 crore in the state.
The opposition laid scathing attack on chief minister, who also holds mining portfolio, for ’shielding’ the illegal mining activity, which, in some cases, had affected the farming.
“We will take action against illegal mining. The new mining policy, which is in the draft state, will address the issue,” Kamat told the house.
He said that the government has constituted a task force to crack down on the activity.
Tabling a reply on the floor of the house, Kamath said that there are 97 existing mining leases in the state and a total royalty of Rs 1,60,09,344 was collected by the government during 2007-08.
Goa, the biggest iron ore exporter in the country, has exported 33,434,429 tonnes during 2007-08.
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