from Ares
for Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji (GA)

Panaji, Aug 18:  State chief minister Digamber Kamat assured strict action against the illegal mining activities in the state after the opposition party brought to the notice that such activity is becoming rampant. 

During the question hour in the ongoing state legislative assembly session, leader of opposition Manohar Parrikar said that illegal mining business is to the tune of Rs 250 crore in the State.

The opposition benches on the first day of the session laid scathing attack on the chief minister, who is also holding the mining portfolio, for shielding the illegal mining in the State, which, in some cases, has affected the farming.

"We will take action against the illegal mining," Kamat told the members of the legislative assembly participating in the discussion.

The chief minister said that the new mining policy, which is in the draft state, will address all the issues concerning the industry.

He said that the task force has been constituted by the government to crack down the illegal mining activities in the state.

Tabling a reply on the floor of the house, the chief minister said that there are 97 existing mining leases in the State and total royalty of Rs 1, 60, 09,344 was collected by the government during 2007-08.

Goa, which is the biggest iron ore exporter in the country, has exported 33,434,429 tonnes during the year 2008.