In an interview with CNBC-TV18, RK Verma, IAS, Principal Secretary, Department of Mines, Goa clarified that they are scrutinizing documents related to the mining commissions and once they are satisfied with it, permission for mining would be given.
The Goa government on Tuesday decided to temporarily ban mining operations in Goa because of illegalities and irregularities seen in mining operations in the state. RK Verma, IAS, Principal Secretary, Department of Mines, Goa clarified that they are scrutinizing documents related to the mining commissions and once they are satisfied with it, permission for mining would be given.
Further, Verma stated that the companies will be given a week’s time to declare their inventory levels and it would be allowed to be sold.
Q: If you could give us an indication of when the government of Goa plans to resume the mining operations in Goa?
A: We have made it very clear that we want to scrutinize documents related to the mining commissions. As we go on with this exercise and once we find that all the documents are in order we will permit them to resume mining.
Q: In terms of a timeline, what is the realistic timeline that you are looking at by the time which the documents might be scrutinized?
A: As of today, I cannot give you a timeline but it would all depend on when we submit all these documents because we have a large number of mining companies which will submit documents. We’ll have to go through and critically scrutinize all of them. A firm timeline cannot be given but we will try to dispose them as soon as possible.
Q: Even if the mining ban does get uplifted, how long before which iron ore will flow because we have seen this happen in the past with respect to Karnataka as well. Despite the mining ban being lifted it was months before which iron ore could flow through that state.
A: Once the ban is lifted I don’t see any reason why it should take more than a month maximum.
Q: What is the current inventory level that is lying in Goa currently and will that be allowed to get transported?
A: We have asked them to declare the inventory which they are carrying with them within a week’s time, so that at least the inventory is allowed to be sold.
Q: Have you had any conversations with the likes of Sesa Goa etc on what the inventory level is laying currently with that company?
A: No we have asked them to declare their stock levels within a week’s time and the timeline started from yesterday so it will take another 5-6 days to get the entire details.
Courtesy: moneycontrol
