THE statement of the central mines ministry that operation of illegal mining is comparatively less in Goa in comparison to states like Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Gujarat and others and that only nine cases were detected in 2009 is unconvincing.
On April 20, the Union Minister for Mines, Mr B K Handique stated in Parliament that in Goa, 475 cases of illegal mining have been detected in the three years from 2006. Whom to believe, the statement of the ministry or the reply of the minister? It is worth noting that during the past three years alone, 1,500 hectares of forest land has been converted to mining land. Nevertheless, this statement endorsed the fact that Goa and its economy is being plundered and ravaged by fly-by-night mine operators.
Significantly, only a year back while addressing a workshop on sustainable development organised by the Indian Environment Association the Speaker of Goa Assembly, Mr Pratapsing Rane had outrightly blamed the politicians for encouraging and protecting illegal mines and mining in Goa. He was quite curt in his observation: “They are the ones who are cheating the government and the people of Goa.” The illegal mining industry pegged at Rs 250 crore a year has not only been rapidly degrading Goa’s environment but plundering its economy. The state is being denied crores of rupees from the cess and also other financial benefits. With politicians themselves as illegal miners or playing godfather to illegal miners, the situation is getting worse and worse. The statistics reveal that about 18 to 22 per cent of iron ore exported from the state is being extracted from illegal mines.
The situation has deteriorated to such an extent that on February 17 this year, the Goa Mineral and Ore Exporters Association (GMOEA) had to raise a demand for ban on operation on illegal mining as Goa iron ore is extracted by “unscrupulous elements” who do not have mining leases. The GMOEA had pointed out: “Due to increased demand for ore, many new players who do not have any long-term interests in the mining business have been attracted to carry out mining and processing activities with the sole aim of deriving short-term benefits and with scant regard to accountability, sustainability, infrastructure or environmental concerns.” It is known that owners of illegal mines do not adhere to any of the “norms and regulations that are statutorily followed by established mining companies”. What is most intriguing is though the government is aware of their modus operandi it is not taking enough measures to put a check on their operation. Though the directorate of mines recently listed 40 cases of illegal mining; the extent is much more.
The Chief Minister, Mr Digambar Kamat constituted a committee under the chief secretary to look into the cases of illegal mining and keep a tab on the operations. But there appear to be forces much beyond the powers of the chief secretary who are behind protection to illegal mining, officers included. Else, it is beyond comprehension how the government can shut its eye to the to the plight of the genuine mining companies who are facing ordeals due to the open plunder by illegal miners? Nevertheless, if the government really intends to protect the interests of the state and its people from the ravages of illegal mining, it should take action without fear or favour against the politicians and operators protected by them who are involved in illegal mining directly or indirectly. Unless strong action is taken to break the nexus of politicians and fly-by-night operators, making of a policy would be just adding to bureaucratic paperwork.
