Stamp fee collected by mine owned by Pakistani national creates stir

PANAJI: Goa government's recent move to collect stamp fee from mine owners has courted a controversy after it surfaced that a mine owned by a Pakistan national was considered for renewal despite being castigated by Supreme Court's Central Empowered Committee ( CEC) last year.

Goa State Mines and Geology Department here collected stamp fees from 88 mining leases yesterday paving way for their renewal to start extraction of ores.

The department has considered the application of a mine owned by Radha S Timblo, whose name was revealed by the Centre among those who have allegedly stashed black money in foreign banks.

Timblo's mining operation was objected by CEC last year, when it was noticed that the mine was illegally operated through a mining lease signed with a Karachi-based Pakistani national Baddrudin Mavani, who had the power of attorney of the lease.

Justice M B Shah Commission which had probed the illegal mining in the state had objected to the mining lease of Mavani, claiming it to be illegal.

The Commission in its report had said that the ownership and control of the lease by the Timblo family (via firm Timblo Pvt Ltd) was justified by them by producing before the state government power of attorney dated November 5, 1997, stated to have been executed by Mavani in favour of Radha S Timblo.

The Commission, had however observed in the report, "In the said power of attorney, it is mentioned that Mavani is staying in Karachi, Pakistan. The power of attorney was neither notarised, nor signed in witnesses' presence."

When contacted, Director of Mines and Geology, Prasanna Acharya said stamp duty was collected as per instructions of the state government, which has decided to initiate process to renew the mining leases.