TOP QUOTES
(Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar)
* So far for the current season, 8.2 million tons have been extracted. Over the next five weeks, it can be another 4-5 million tons
* The tentative time schedule (for mining restart) I found out can be six months that is subject to no hurdles and no problems
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PANAJI: Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar said the government would “explore all possibilities including an auction to maximise the revenue of the state” saying that he was optimistic that the state could grant fresh leases within six months. Parrikar also ruled out filing an appeal before a larger bench or a review petition in the Supreme Court saying that there was no need to do so.
Parrikar, who was reacting to the order of the Supreme Court which cancelled the Goa government’s renewal of 88 mining leases, said that the sale and export of ore extracted before March 15 could continue while the ore that is yet to be e-auctioned could also be sold.
“Consequent to the order, the State will explore all possibilities including auction to maximise the revenue of the state. I’m neither ruling out nor confirming auction,” Parrikar said.
“There are multiple options which I don’t want to discuss at this stage. We’ll discuss it properly with all relevant people. The earlier (renewal) was the outcome of the decision of the Bombay High Court. That decision has been set aside so obviously, the leases granted under that particular decision also get set aside. The rest has to be as per law,” Parrikar said.
When asked how long it would take for mining to resume in the state, Parrikar said it could happen within six months.
“Six months. That should be the target. Six months from March. The tentative time schedule I found out can be six months that is subject to no hurdles and no problems,” Parrikar said.
When asked whether the State would set up a mineral development corporation on the lines of that what is there in other states, Parrikar said: “State is examining all options.”
Parrikar also suggested that the entire mining industry itself might not really come to a standstill as some form of activity or the other will continue.
“Those who have mined until 15th (March) can export till May. So till May (it) is taken care of. Plus I can e-auction. I’m not aware of exactly where are and what quality material (for e-auction) is available. Depending on market conditions, if you go for e-auction there will be adequate quantity available up to May. The question is what will happen after the rains. If the auction process or any other process is completed, then there will be no problem to start in October, in principle,” Parrikar said.
“They’ve been permitted to extract up to 15th of March, so obviously that ore will belong to them subject to conditions that they pay all the royalties and state mineral fund etc. They can export without extracting also. That means if there is the material with them on the 15th on the jetty or on some other plot other than the mine, that can be exported. There is no export ban,” Parrikar said but added that the mining companies will have to vacate the leases after the March 15 deadline passes.
Parrikar said that so far for the current season 8.2 million tons have been extracted. “Over the next five weeks, it can be another 4-5 million tons. It won’t be more than that,” Parrikar said.
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State's revenues will
not be hit: Parrikar
PANAJI: Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar said that the state government will not take a revenue hit but that people involved in mining could temporarily be affected by the latest Supreme Court decision. “There is no big difference yet. In terms of those who are dependent on mining, there is an impact for which we will try and work out fastest starting of the mining through proper procedure, various options. The maximum financial impact on the state will be ₹300 to ₹400 crores. Which we can bear, because in 2012 it was 26% (of the state revenue) now it is 4-5%,” Parrikar said.
“I can only say that for the next year the mining revenue will be ₹300-400 crores,” Parrikar said confident in his abilities to raise revenue despite the shutdown.
“[The ] last time also in spite of [the] mining ban, I recovered almost ₹1300-1400 crore from the various mining companies. So I know how to recover money from the mining companies,” Parrikar said.
The process of recovering monies through the team of chartered accountants was well and truly in motion.
“We have already begun action. With the SIT action, two cases have been charge-sheeted and another dozen to two dozen cases will be charge-sheeted.
“While that was happening I had set up a team of auditors to go through that record and that team has pointed out this recovery due. Based on that we have issued a notice to the mine owners and based on their reply we will proceed further,” Parrikar said.
