http://www.epaperoheraldo.in/Details.aspx?id=1107&boxid=32614171&uid=&dat=8/11/2011
*21 ILLEGAL MINES HAVE EXTRACTED 2 LAKH TONNES OF ORE, AND THAT’S ONLY THE BEGINNING* *Raghuraj Deshprabhu’s mines tops the list of highest quantities extracted* *SURAj NANDREKAR suraj@ herald- goa. com* PANJIM: A mine owned by Raghuraj Deshprabhu, has the highest quantum of ore extracted among all illegal mines, in the watch list of the mines department The department has prepared a list of 21 illegal mines operating in the state of which the quantum of ore extracted for 11 of those mines is available. The rest are under investigation, the report reveals. The highest number of 10 illegal mines operating only in the Sanguem taluka. The other talukas where these illegal mines are located are Bicholim ( 5 mines), Sattari ( 2), Ponda ( 2), Quepem and Permen. Surprisingly, while the opposition has been claiming that the illegal ore export business is worth Rs 250 crores per year, the figures by the department show that there was only 1,99,783 tons worth around Rs 8 crores exported illegally. This list clearly is only a tip of the illegal ore mountain, but it assumes significance since this is an official department exercise. The report says that Raghuraj Deshprabhu’s mine in Pernem extracted 52360 tons of ore worth Rs 1,72,35,600 while Illegal ore of 33249 tons extracted from Rajaram Naik’s mine at Sattari was highest in terms of value, worth Rs 3.17 cr. Herald sources informed that over 4 lakh tons of ore is exported illegally every year. “ While 11 mines account for 1.99 lakh, the rest 10 amount for over 2.5 lakh tons as these are the major mines that extract illegal ores,” sources informed. Interestingly, in all 21 cases the department says the inquiries are in progress. Only in case of Deshprabhu and Rajaram Naik *Continued on pg 9* -- Please post your comments on my Blog: http://goanidentity.blogspot.com/ Please also see below: 1. Benaulim Village Action Committee: http://www.bvacbenaulim.blogspot.com/ 2. "Rape of Goa" : http://www.parrikar.com/blog/the-rape-of-goa/ 3. MAND - an adivasi-rights resource centre : http://mandgoa.blogspot.com/ 4. EVERY GOAN SHOULD SEE THIS VIDEO: http://infochangeindia.org/Infochange-documentary.html 5. Goa's Identity Movement group on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com//#/group.php?gid=193497031686 6. Official Government Site NRI Office (GOA): http://www.globalgoans.org.in/
