The Goa government has taken a significant step towards boosting its revenue by targeting approximately Rs 500 crore through the e-auctioning of unclaimed iron ore dumps scattered across private lands in the state.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, on Thursday, announced the approval of the revised Goa Iron Ore Mining Dump Handling Policy, 2023. This policy aims to address the issue of iron ore dumps that have been lying abandoned since mining activities were halted in 2012, following a Supreme Court directive.
Iron ore mining has long been a major source of revenue for Goa, but since the suspension of mining operations over a decade ago, these iron ore dumps have remained untouched.
The revised policy now allows the state to auction off these ore heaps that are unclaimed and located on private properties, where the land conversion fee has not been paid. The government has identified around 30 to 40 such dumps, which are expected to generate substantial revenue through the e-auction process.
During a cabinet briefing, Sawant shared that the government is optimistic about generating between Rs 400 to 500 crore from the auction of these dumps. The state has conducted a survey to locate these dumps and plans to begin the e-auction process within the next 15 days. This move is expected to clear land of the accumulated ore heaps, which have been an issue for landowners and the state for years.
The revised policy not only aims to clear the land but also ensures that landowners are compensated for the ore that will be auctioned. Once the ore is successfully auctioned, the government plans to pay a lease amount to the landowners. However, the exact lease fee amount is yet to be determined and will be decided at a later stage.
The government’s decision to focus on e-auctioning these unclaimed iron ore heaps is a strategic move that addresses two issues: the long-standing problem of these ore dumps lying idle and the need to generate additional revenue for the state.
The move is also part of a broader effort to revitalize Goa’s mining sector, which has been struggling since the suspension of mining activities more than a decade ago.
This initiative will likely have a far-reaching impact on both the state’s economy and the local landowners. While the e-auction process offers a new avenue for revenue, it also provides a legal and transparent way to handle the unclaimed ore dumps.
The government's plan to auction off these dumps reflects an increasing emphasis on using modern methods like e-auctioning to streamline processes, ensure fairness, and maximize returns for the state.
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