The state government has already prepared the draft of the Goa iron ore permanent fund, as directed by the Supreme Court (SC), and it is being forwarded to SC's centrally approved committee (CEC). Also, 10% of the previous e-auction of iron ore is already parked separately in fixed deposits for a permanent fund, mines minister Manohar Parrikar told the legislative assembly on Thursday.
Parrikar's statement on the Goa iron ore permanent fund was made in his written reply to a starred question by Fatorda independent MLA Vijai Sardesai.
Parrikar cited exact directions of the SC: "The state government will within six months from today frame a comprehensive scheme with regard to the Goan Iron Ore Permanent Fund in consultation with the CEC for sustainable development and intergenerational equity and submits the same to this Court within six months from today."
Asked what would be the total ore that would be subject to the provisions of the SC order, Parrikar said that the same depends on the extraction done. While pointing out that currently 15.46 million tonnes is under e-auction procedure, Parrikar said that as per the SC's direction, 10% will be calculated on the sales price of e-auction. The amount to be collected depends on sale price at the relevant time when the ore is put for e-auction, which varies from time to time.
Regarding the ore that is sold once mining resumes, as per the court's directions, the same shall be 10% of the sale price. Parrikar said that the fund is not to be disbursed to each household, to but to be retained for posterity.
Asked whether the government intends to issue a white paper on mining, Parrikar said that the matter pertaining to mining is under investigation and reconciliation. Once the task is over, the government will make all data, acquired and consolidated, available to the public, the chief minister said.
Source: ToI