the goan I network
PANAJI
Chief Minister, Manohar Parrikar on Friday urged Union Minister of Rural Development, Panchayati Raj and Mines, Narendra Singh Tomar to reduce the export duty on iron ore of 58 grade and above.
Tomar was in Goa to chair a meeting of mines ministers from several States. The decision to reduce export duty involves Ministry of Mines, Ministry of Commerce and Ministry of Finance.
Sources present at the meeting informed that Parrikar requested Tomar to look into the issue of reduction in export duty on iron ore of 58 grade and above.
The local mining industry has maintained that cost of transporting iron ore to steel plants in India is prohibitive. Therefore, they prefer to export ore to China. In the recent times, China is demanding higher grade ore on account of environmental concerns.
Parrikar also said auction of mineral blocks in Goa depends on SC decision in the matter pertaining to abolition of the mining concessions.
He revealed, “There are 174 mining leases in Goa, which will expire in 2020. There is one very important matter before the SC called as ‘abolition of original concessions’, which has not been decided. If it is decided as per the Act, then these 174 mining leases will expire in 2020. However, if decision goes for prospective abolition, then 174 leases will expire in 2037. Moreover, many of these 174 leases come under wildlife, forest and a lot of other restrictions.”
Parrikar said, “Then, there is capping (20 mn tons annually). These aspects have to be taken into consideration before any decision on leases.”
