Goemkarponn desk
PANAJI: Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) President Amit Patkar today demanded with the state government to recover Rs 271 crore from mining scam defaulters and Rs 165 crore from Vedanta.
Addressing the press conference, Patkar said that why Vedanta has been allotted two mining blocks when they are yet to pay Rs 165 crore to the state government.
“We demand with the state government to recover Rs 271 crore from mining scam defaulters and Rs 165 crore from Vedanta,” said Patkar.
He said that Vedanta Limited had emerged as successful bidder for a mining block auctioned earlier this year. Vedanta was the highest bidder with 63.55 per cent revenue for Bicholim Mining Block, spread over 485 hectares.
“How can mining blocks be allocated to such companies when they are defaulters. How is this going on. Demand notice is issued , how cant mining blocks be allotted,” Patkar added.
Patkar said that this if half press conference of Rs 271 cr, remaining RTIs are remaining and that issue will be taken up in different press conference.
“The dues should be recovered from the Vedanta company before Diwali otherwise CM Sawant should do puja of demand notice on Lakshmi pujan,” the GPCC Chief said.
Patkar said that this BJP government is targeting the Opposition leaders and my firm is not allowed to do transportation of the ore which was purchased legally,” he added.
Patkar said that of the 50000 tonnes, 19000 still remains to be transported and despite several applications, my firm is not permitted to do so,” Patkar pointed out.
Further, Patkar stated that as per the SC guidelines, the auctioned iron ore which is lying outside the lease area need not be transported within a certain time limit. “If the auctioned iron ore is lying in a private property or in a private jetty, it can be kept there for as long as the owners permit,” Patkar added.
