No illegal mining is taking place in Goa, Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar told the legislative Assembly today.
"No sir, there are no illegal mines operating in the state," he said in a written reply to a question by Leader of Opposition Chandrakant Kavlekar (Congress).
"Forty-eight mines were in operation in the financial year 2016-17 and all of them had obtained environmental clearances," said Parrikar, who also holds the mines portfolio.
The mines are operating as per the mining plan/scheme submitted by the lessee and duly scrutinised and approved by the Indian Bureau of Mines (IBM), a Central government agency, the chief minister said.
In 2012, the Supreme Court banned iron ore extraction in Goa after an inquiry commission stated that illegal mining to the tune of Rs 35,000 crore took place in the coastal state from 2005 to 2012. The ban was lifted in 2014 by the apex court with certain riders.
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