PANAJI
Director of Mines and Geology (DMG), Prasanna Acharya, had cancelled Vedanta s import and transit permits for ore bought from e-auctions at Karnataka citing violations by the company.In the clarification, Vedanta said, “With regard to the transportation of ore required for the plant from Karnataka, all necessary guidelines, protocols and procedures are adhered to by the company at all times.” The clarification continues, “After obtaining necessary dispatch permits from DMG & Forest department of Karnataka and import/transit permit from DMG, Goa, iron ore was brought down to pig iron plant at Amona/Navelim, Goa, after paying entry tax & rural welfare cess at border check-post.” In an order last week, Acharya had alleged that mining department s staff posted at Mollem check-post could not find Vedanta s ore laden vehicles at the check-post and that the trucks had entered Goa without regulations/monitoring by DMG and were at PIB plant, Amona.Vedanta s clarification, however, says, “After complying with all the due formalities and procedures with Goa DMG officials, 35 trucks of ore were transported from Hospet-Karnataka on July 26, 2016, communication of the consignment and vehicles carrying ore was intimated to the Deputy-DMG, Goa and M/s Mega Soft (an implementing agency for DMG, Goa) well in advance as advised by officials.”
