Goa: Illegal iron extraction on rise

PANAJI: The huge demand for iron ore in the international market has increased illegal mineral extraction activity in Goa with the state government figures revealing 40 such cases noticed in last three years.

Goa government faced opposition's wrath on the illegal mining in the state during the first day of Goa state legislative assembly session which began on Monday.

Chief minister Digamber Kamat, who also holds mines department, had announced in the House that the state government would initiate stern action against the illegal mining.

Leader of opposition Manohar Parrikar who alleged connivance of forest and mines departments in allowing such illegal extraction accused forest department officials of protecting illegal mines in the reserve forests and wild life sanctuaries of the state.

The first day of the session was marked with questions related to mining, which is state's second largest economic activity after tourism.

The opposition benches claimed that illegal mining business is to the tune of Rs 250 crore in the state.

Goa is India's biggest iron ore exporting state. The demand for ore in China, Japan, Russia and even Pakistan are met by Goan ore.

Notably, state's remote talukas Bicholim, Sattari, Sanguem and Quepem are under prying eyes of the illegal miners, according to the data tabled on the floor of the house.