Goa rakes in ₹831 cr through e-auctions

PANAJI

The State has made a total of ₹831.15 crore through the sale of 86,11,783 metric tonnes of iron ore that were put up for bidding as directed by the Supreme Court through 14 e-auctions held over the last few months, Governor of Goa Mridula Sinha said in her speech on the first day of the Goa Assembly session on Monday.

On the other hand the government has disbursed ₹ 26.45 crore to 6,267 truck owners engaged in mining operations in the affected areas during April to December 2015.

“14 e-auctions were held in which 86,11,783 metric tonnes of iron ore were put up for bidding that realised a sale value of ₹831.15 crore. Out of sale value realized, the State received Royalty and Processing fees of ₹110.62 crore. In addition to this, the State has earned royalty amounting to ₹4.91 crore on account of production of iron ore and bauxite. Between April 2015 and December 2015, 750 transit pass books were issued for transportation of minor minerals and an amount of ₹1.02 crore was received towards royalty on minor minerals,” the Governor said in her speech.

Incidentally, for the second time running, the Goa Governor could not complete her speech and didn’t read the whole speech skipping the second half saying the paragraphs may be “treated as read.”

“In order to safeguard the families affected directly or indirectly, my government had introduced an umbrella scheme under which financial relief of ₹ 26.45 crore has been disbursed to 6,267 truck owners engaged in mining operations in the affected areas from April to December 2015. Under the scheme financial relief of an amount of ₹8.27 crore has been provided to 1799 beneficiaries who lost their livelihood due to closure of mining,” the Governor added.

Under the debt relief scheme for mining affected borrowers of financial institutions, an amount of ₹8.64 crore has been disbursed to 1,157 beneficiaries during April to December 2015.

The mining of iron ore resumed in the State in September 2015 with 89 mining leases approved for grant of second renewal and 1 lease approved for first renewal. Differential Global positioning System survey of 85 mining leases is completed till date with its authentication plans.