Manohar Parikar seeks Rs 3,000-crore assistance from Centre

NEW DELHI: Goa chief minister ManoharParikar has sought a one-time assistance of Rs 3,000 crore from the Centre for rehabilitating people affected by the mining ban in the state. Mining, which accounts for 20% of the state’s GSDP, has been stopped in the state after a central commission (MB Shah Commission) alleged serious irregularities.

The Supreme Court is currently hearing a plea based on this report. From its revenue contribution of Rs 6,400 crore, the BJP government expects mining to bring in only Rs 400 crore this fiscal, leading to a shortfall of Rs 17,600 crore from cascading effects. “I am already losing 20% of my revenue. The state is running on 80% capacity.

We have filled in 8-10% gap through other mobilisation like reduction in cost. But there is still a gap of 10%,” Parrikar told ET on Wednesday. He was leading an all-party delegation from Goa to meet Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

The memorandum submitted to the PM claims mining employs 50,000 people directly and a lakh indirectly“I believe that the job of ensuring proper legal mining is that of the government. I am only requesting the Supreme Court to allow me to exercise my constitutional rights. If a third party (Central Empowered Committee) comes into the picture, how will it take care of many other issues that crop up,” said Parrikar. Goa wouldn’t mind filing reports to a court-appointed agency but wants to avoid the path to reform taken in Karnataka, where a court-appointed committee is designing Bellary’s reform. “Ultimately it is my responsibility as CM to ensure that only legal mining takes place and punish illegality. Whatever has happened, happened during the time of the earlier ( Congress) government,” he added.

Parrikar said he has begun addressing issues of legality of mining leases and safe distances form notified wildlife areas. With the Goa Daman and Diu Mining Concessions (Abolition and Declaration as Mining Leases) Act 1987, Portuguese family 'concessions' were to be converted into leases. Instead, 372 mines have been operating on a 'deemed' provision with their renewals pending for decades, he said.

"For 25 years the state did not collect anything. The Shah Commission had also pointed out that no decision is being taken. So we are deciding now, converting them into legalised leases where they pay fees to the government. That does not give them the right to mine immediately," he said. "So I far I have collected Rs 350 crore. One lease has been renewed but there are about 20 in the process of being renewed and have paid the necessary stamp duty."

Parrikar says the other important issue of ecosensitive zones is close to being resolved. “If I am not mistaken, the MoEF, after minor modifications, has agreed with Goa cabinet’s decision: up to 500 meters (from sanctuaries and wildlife parks) there shall be no mining whatsoever, mines between 500 m to 1 km will be phased out in 5-10 years time, ensuring that the environment is protected during this time.”