Ahead of polls, Goa BJP govt. approves export of low-grade iron ore
The Hindu
Decision paves the way for resumption of mining that has been stalled since 2018
The BJP government in Goa on Wednesday approved a policy permitting mining companies to export low-grade iron ore, paving the way for resumption of mining activity that has been stalled since 2018.
The Cabinet’s nod for the policy comes ahead of the Assembly election scheduled for early next year. Resumption of mining activity has been a key poll promise of Arvind Kejriwal’s Aam Aadmi Party and the Congress.
Speaking after the Cabinet meeting, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said about 10 to 20 million metric tonnes of low-grade iron ore was lying at different locations outside the mining leases, and could sustain mining activity in Goa for the next four-five years.
A crowd comprising farmers, researchers, professors, students, and horticulture enthusiasts thronged the ICAR-Indian Institute of Horticultural Research (IIHR), Hesaraghatta, Bengaluru, on Friday for the inaugural ceremony of the Triphal Diversity Show which showcased 300 mango, 100 jackfruit, and 100 banana genotypes in collaboration with ICAR-National Research Centre for Banana, Tiruchirappalli.
The State government on Friday constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT), headed by Additional Director-General of Police, Manish Kharbikar of the Economic Offences division of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to probe the alleged multi-crore scam in the government-run Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribes Development Corporation.