PANAJI
Amid heated discussion surrounding the Dump Handling Policy, the Opposition -- on the concluding day of the Budget session -- insisted on seeking clarity on the e-auctioning of dumps and qualifications of officials behind its drafting.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant informed the House that the State government has taken on board the Indian Bureau of Mines (IBM) to analyze the dump profile. He added that once the rates are fixed, the auctioning will begin within two months.
“The government has initiated the process for generating the data on the dumps in the State. Meetings were held with the Geological Survey of India and IBM about the handling of such dumps. The State is in the process of Dump Profile Study, pursuant to which necessary decision will be taken regarding the auction of mining dumps,” he replied to a starred question by AAP legislator Venzy Viegas.
Sawant further added that while rates for dumps in private lands will be finalized once the price is fixed, they will be able to decide about auctioning dumps. “We have taken IBM on board to study the Dump Policy. The Dump Handling Policy is already in place,” he added.
During the discussion, Viegas demanded access to the meeting minutes concerning the policy while levelling allegations of non-transparency during the process. “How did you decide the policy without knowing the quantum of ore,” he questioned.
“There has to be an inquiry into how the policy was framed. There’s a major scam behind the framing of this policy,” Viegas alleged.
Denying allegations, CM Sawant explained to the House that the policy was vital to ascertain the dump quantity. "All facets need examination, and for this, a policy is the need. Subsequently, all the factors such as quantity, quality, location”whether on leased or private, government, or communal land”will be determined based on the policy before any decision is made,” he said.
“There is demand for low-grade iron ore…. When we vacate the land, this land can be reused for other purposes such as agriculture, cultivation, etc,” the CM added.
In his supplementary question, Viegas demanded to disclose the names of the officials who drafted the policy and their qualifications.
To another question about steps taken to set up the Centre for Ecological Restoration and Mineral Development, Sawant stated that ecological aspects such as afforestation is taken care of by the Forest Department. However, after accessing the dump handling, steps will be initiated to set up such a centre in the future if required.
On amounts accruing to the Government in case applicants are entertained, the CM further stated that so far, no such exercise is being carried out by the Government as amounts accruing will depend upon the auction bid and average sale value of grade declared by IBM at the time of dispatch from the primary location.
