By IANS,
Panaji : Iron ore illegally extracted from mines in southern Maharashtra is being exported through a seaport in Goa, a ruling Congress legislator said Wednesday.
Former deputy chief minister and sitting legislator Dayanand Narvekar told the Goa assembly that transportation of illegally extracted ore from the mines located in the Kalne and Sawantwadi regions of Sindhudurg district of Maharashtra was rampant.
“Why are you allowing illegally mined ore to come through Goa? Why is our infrastructure being destroyed because illegal ore is being ferried on our roads,” he asked.
“The ore is being exported through the Mormugao Port Trust. Over 1,000 trucks carrying illegal ore from Maharashtra are coming into Goa every day,” Narvekar said.
Chief Minister Digambar Kamat assured the assembly that he would take up the issue with the Maharashtra government.
“But if it (illegal mining) is happening, it is not in our jurisdiction. We will check with our counterparts,” Kamat said.