Defending the industry and his association’s contribution tothe Industry, Shivanand Salgaocar, President, Goa Mineral Ore Exporters'Association says that the proposal of 10 km buffer zone is implemented in theState than there will be no mining left in Goa. In a tête-à -tête with The Goanhe also said one cannot compare mining in Goa, which is over 100 years old,with that of Karnataka.
The Goan: How do you react to Justice M B Shah’s report onillegal mining in Goa which was recently tabled in the Parliament?
Shivanand Salgaocar: There are some allegations made againstcertain irregularities on mining operations in Goa by the Shah Commission. Wewill answer to the allegations before the appropriate authority.
TG: The Shah Commission has also indicted some of the mineowners affiliated to GMOEA in its report
SG: I have not studied allegations against individualmembers, so I cannot comment about them. As far as my company is concerned wewill reply to all the allegations.
TG: Do you think that in the political crossfire between theCenter and the State government the mine owners have to bear the brunt?
SG: I don’t want to get into the political battle of thecentral and the state government. I go by the notification and not bystatements given by political leaders.
TG: Do you think that MoEF proposal of maintaining a 10 kmbuffer zone would cut down the size of mining business in Goa?
SG: Considering thedemography of Goa virtually all mines would have to be shut down with theproposal of 10 km buffer zone. All these are legal issues and there are mattersin Supreme Court. Somebody will have to take a call on it. The Supreme Courthas already decided on it.
TG: What would be the impact of the sudden closure of allmines in the State on the Goan industry?
SG: One should notcompare Goan mining with Karnataka. Goan mining industry is an age old industryin Goa which is going on for more than 100 years. The abrupt closure of minesin the State will have an adverse impact on transporters, barge owners and allthe other ancillary units dependent on the mining industry. Shortly one maywitness the adverse impact of it on people of Goa.
TG: What will be the way out for mine owners?
SG: Step by step wewill have to submit whatever documents that are required by the Stategovernment, MoEF and all the concerned authorities to ensure that legal mineowners don’t suffer.
TG: Do you buy the argument on cumulative figure of Rs35,000 crore losses caused due to illegal mining in Shah Commission report?
SG: Have you read the report? It is an absolutely wrongfigure.
TG: Former Karnataka Lokayukta, Justice Santosh Hegde and JusticeM B Shah are on record saying that whatever loss is caused due to illegalmining should be recovered from mine owners
SG: Saying something and doing something are two separateissues. We will provide right answers at the right forum. We will provideanswers to the MoEF.
