Goa government state mining policy continues to favour China

PANAJI: The Goa government's state mining policy continues to favour China, a leading Goa-based green NGO has said in a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Sunday. The letter also alleged that Chief Minister Pramod Sawant was dragging his feet over auctioning of iron ore mining leases in order to restart the virtually non-functional industry.

The letter to the Prime Minister's Office by Goa Foundation, whose petition related to illegal mining resulted in a ban on the mining industry in the state in 2012, has also said that the Sawant-led administration was dragging its feet over recovery of nearly Rs 3,431 crore of dues from various mining companies.

"The priority of the Sawant government today is to be seen in recent orders of the Director of Mines and Geology, permitting transport and export of iron ore stocks up to July 31, 2020, directly favouring former lease-holders and traders who have spot contracts with China," the letter to the Prime Minister's Office states.

"Normally, all mining activity halts before the monsoon by May 15 every year. Dr Sawant ought to be directed to stop the export of Goa's ore to China forthwith as it is entirely inappropriate when seen within the circumstances facing the country today," further states the letter signed by Director of the NGO Claude Alvares. (IANS)

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