PANAJI: The Chief Minister, Mr Digambar Kamat has stated his government has delayed finalisation of the state’s mining policy because he wanted to prevent any conflict of interest with the MMDR Act, which would be finalised soon by the central government, even as he said that he would take all the MLAs from the mining areas into confidence before finalising the state policy.

Replying to the queries raised by the members of the House during discussion on demands for the mines department held by him, the Chief Minister said the state policy was in the final stage of preparation but on being told in the last meeting that the central government was amending the MMDR Act, which provide for substantial stakes for the people of the scheduled tribes residing in the area, he differed the decision till the central government amends the central legislation on mining.
Mr Kamat, while responding to the issue of illegal mining in Goa, said that he was only the Chief Minister to write  to the Union Minister of State for Environment and Forests (independent charge), Mr Jairam Ramesh to stop giving environment clearances for any mining project in the state and that the request has been accepted by the minister.
Stating that the royalty to the state has risen tremendously to over Rs 292 crore in the last financial year from over Rs 36 crore in the financial year 2008-09, he said that his government has tightened the process further and the Captain of Ports has been directed not to allow any ship carrying ore to depart unless royalty due to the state was paid and no objection certificate was issued by the mines department.
He also said that similar arrangements were being worked out with the Mormugao Port Trust.
The Chief Minister also said that more staff would be recruited in the mines department to monitor the activities in the mines across the state, adding that new offices would be opened in Quepem and Bicholim talukas to keep a check on mining activities. He said that special mining corridors would be created for transportation of ore with the help of mining industry at a cost of Rs 500 crore.
The Chief Minister, who is also the Industries Minister, told the House that his government encountered serious problems in attracting new industries to the state and that it has taken equally serious steps to attract entrepreneurs to come to the state and set up industries here, like simplifying the procedure for registration of new industrial units.
He also said the state’s biotech policy has been notified to promote biotech industries in Goa, even as he said that other reforms needed to give a boost to the industries would be brought in soon, as the state’s economy was directly linked to its industrial growth. Mr Kamat also said that except in case of three notified special economic zones, others ceased to exist after the SEZ policy was withdrawn and the central government has been told to de-notify the three notified SEZs.
Earlier, members cutting across the party lines demanded that the government should stop illegal mining in the state, even as they said that uncontrolled mining has caused extensive damage to environment. They also brought to the notice of the House that mining activities were being carried out in the forestland but the government has failed to take any action against the miners.
The members also pointed out the trucks transporting mineral ore were among the major ‘accident makers’ because of which a number of lives were lost. It was also pointed out the mining has brought down agricultural production in the state. A House committee was also demanded by the members to probe mining in forest areas.
Dealing on the issue of industries, the members of the House said that due to inadequate power supply many industries were being denied power supply by the electricity department. They pointed out the in view of no industries coming to the state no new employment has been generated in the industrial sector.
Those who participated in the discussion included Mr Manohar Parrikar, Mr Francisco D’Souza, Ms Victoria Fernandes, Mr Laxmikant Parsekar, Mr Francisco Silveira, Mr Ramesh Tawadkar, Mr Dayanand Narvekar, Mr Dayanand Mandrekar,  Mr Vasudev Gaonkar, Mr Mauvin Godinho, Mr Rajesh Patnekar, Mr Pratap Gawas, Mr Chandrakant Kavlekar, Mr Shyam Satardekar, Mr Reginaldo Aleixo Lourenco, Mr Mahadev Naik and Mr Pandurang Madkaikar.