PANAJI
The Supreme Court has permitted the Goa government to auction 1.9 million tonnes of ore, which was lying abandoned across various locations, through e-auction. The State has so far successfully e-auctioned around 15 million tons of ore, as directed by the Apex Court since 2014.
The Supreme Court allowed State’s plea stating that since the proceeds of the e-auctions will go to the state treasury and not the private miners.
“The statement made on behalf of the state that the amount realised would not be parted with by the miners is taken on record and is to be treated as an undertaking given to this court,” said the bench comprising Justice BR Gavai and Justice KV Viswanathan.
The Goa government has filed an application before the Apex bench seeking permission to auction 1.94 million tons of ore, lying across various locations and whose inventory was not done earlier.
Amicus curiae A D N Rao said that he has no objection provided the entire proceeds from the auctions are deposited in the state treasury and not parted with by the miners.
Earlier, from 2014 till the end of 2023, the State, through around 29 e-auctions, 15 million tons of ore was sold, generating over 2000 crore revenue.
