PANAJI
The Directorate of Mines & Geology has given a final opportunity to the winning bidders of 27 e-auctions of iron ores to lift the cargo within two months, failing which the department has decided that bidders will have to forfeit the cargo and the payment.
The order comes in view of the huge stock of iron ore lying at various locations despite being sold through 27 e-auctions conducted from time to time.
“Although the e-auction procedure prescribes a maximum period of not more than 60 days to lift the cargo, it has been observed that some of the cargo is yet to be lifted from the original location by the winning bidders or by the persons holding the said cargo by virtue of sale by the winning bidders/s through a sale permit issued by this Directorate,” reads an order by Mines Director S Shanbhogue on Tuesday.
The department extended the deadline till March 31, 2023, following approval from the government on January 27, with a clause that this will be the final opportunity.
“In order to give one final opportunity to the persons still holding the cargo at the original locations where it was at the time of e-auction, it has been decided by the Government that such cargo shall be lifted on or before March 31, 2023 positively, failing which the said cargo, as well as the amount paid for the same, shall stand forfeited without giving any further notice in this regards,” he added.
Meanwhile, the department started the process of auctioning five more iron ore mining blocks through an order earlier this month. The bids have been invited for the auctioning of Advalpale-Tivim Mineral Block, Cudnem-Cormolem Mineral Block, Cudem Mineral Block, Tivim-Pirna Mineral Block and Surla-Sonshi Mineral Block, all in the north district.
The last date for the submission of bids is March 27, 2023.
The department last month e-auctioned four iron ore blocks to pave the way for resuming the mining industry in the State.
