PANAJI: Karnataka, which has recently lifted the ban on the transport of high grade ore to captive steel plants in Goa, seems to have back-tracked on its decision and has started harassment tactics.

While on one hand the Karnataka government has stopped issuing transport permits to the ore operators, on the other hand they have started harassing them by demanding Forest Pass, said Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) vice president, Mr Manguirish Pai Raikar, the committee chairman for the steel units.

He said that the Forest Pass is procured by the Goan transporters and issued at the check post while entering mining areas in Karnataka. But the problem starts when coming out as at the Karnataka check post, officials again demand the Forest Pass, which has already been issued to them, this is purely harassment by the Karnataka Forest Department, Mr Raiker said.

A meeting is scheduled on September 9 with the Director of Industries Ms Garima Gupta, the steel representatives to request Goa Chief Secretary Mr Sanjay Srivastava to pursue the matter with the Chief Secretary of Karnataka to solve the problems affecting the steel units, Mr Raiker said.

According to a source at a steel unit, the Karnataka government has made it mandatory to follow a procedure, to procure a Forest Pass from the Karnataka Forest officer at Taminhi Ghat, after issuing the relevant documents. Meanwhile, Mr VN Sigh general manager Aparant Iron and Steel Pvt Ltd, who is also representing GCCI is presently in Bangalore pursing the matter with geologist and officers, Mr Raiker said.

The Karnataka government’s restriction on issue of mineral dispatch permits to transporters of steel companies has severely affected the supply of ore to steel mills in Goa. The steel units affected are Aparant Iron and Steel, Shradha Ispat, Ambey Metallic, Goa Sponge and Power and Shrithik Ispat.