the goan I network
PONDA
While the agitators flashed a mining department notification banning ore transportation during the monsoons, Vedanta also displayed a government’s relaxation from the notification to undertake the ore transportation activity.
In a notification dated June 27, Director of Mines and Geology (DMG) Prasanna Acharya had stated that “transportation of ore by road during monsoon season may jeopardize the safety of citizens using the road network in the vicinity of mining leases or transportation route of such minerals.”
“In the interest of public safety, transportation of mineral by road is hereby stopped until further orders. This stoppage, however, shall not affect transportation of mineral from jetties via barges till port by the lease holders, exporters or bidders,” the notification added.
However, Vedanta sent a letter to the DMG on June 27, seeking relaxation to the DMG’s notification stopping transportation of minerals
by road.
In his reply to Vedanta on July 1, Acharya confirmed that “the cargo is required for domestic consumption for a plant which is running 24x7 and hence, in tune with the concept of Make in India. Taking into account the fact that the plant is situated within a radius of half a kilometre from Amona jetty, the material has to be sourced by crossing the state highway passing between the jetty and plant. Such being the case, the order dated June 27 shall not be treated to be violated, if the material from Amona jetty is utilised for the pig iron plant.”
Regarding Vedanta’s demand for sourcing of material from its Codli mine, Acharya stated that “such request shall be looked into based upon specific request in this behalf from time to time as per actual requirement of cargo for the plant after utilizing cargo available at Amona jetty.”
“This cargo in no case shall be allowed to be utilised for any other purposes other than for the pig iron plant,”
Acharya stated.
Acharya also added that in case such fines are moved for domestic consumption, “such movement shall take place only during dry spell in rainy season or during rains by implementing necessary safeguards under strict supervision of officials of DMG.”
