-- Samir Umarye *PANJIM*: As part of the ongoing investigation into the seizure of an ore laden truck, the Mines Department Monday inspected a firm in Bicholim to find out details about ore stocks, an official said. The raid was carried out after the case was referred to the Department following the detention of the Karnataka registered truck by Valpoi police recently.
The team returned late tonight. The Department is also investigation into the validity of the documents produced by the transport contractor. According to the police, the truck which was registered under the number KA-22 B-4829 and owned by one GS Puri, from Khanapur, was apparently transporting iron ore from Reddi in Maharashtra to Pissurlem when it was stopped enroute ~ but after it crossed the border. The driver had then produced a delivery note cum tax invoice even though he claimed to be transporting ore interstate. It may be recalled that the Government had directed that the Transport Department at Naibag, Patradevi, Dodamarg, Polem and Mollem check posts would verify the documents connected with the transportation of ore into and out of the State of Goa till the mines officials are posted at these check posts. At present there is a Supreme Court ad interim ban on transportation and export of ore ~ including extraction in the State pending a report from its Central Empowered Committee (CEC). According to the laid down procedure, companies have to contact the Mines Department giving details about the consignment, and get a No-objection Certificate for transportation of the ore. On an earlier occasion of transport and export of ore allegedly from Reddi, the CEC had asked on what basis the permission was granted (by providing supporting documents such as transit passes), which officers cleared it and who had physically verified that the ore had come from the Maharashtra mine, as claimed, as well as details of the nearest port from the Reddi Iron Ore Mines from which the export of iron ore is feasible or normally undertaken. The CEC had also asked for date-wise details of the iron ore brought from Reddi Mines, Maharashtra and other Maharashtra origin iron ore which came to Goa for exports during the last two years along with the details of the quantities exported and balance material; copies of the permissions granted by the concerned officer(s) of the State of Maharashtra for issue of permits for transportation of iron ore to Goa and the relevant transit passes and other supporting documents. This was after the State Mines Department had issued an NOC to a trading company ~ Prime Minerals ~ to export 72,000 tones of ore, that it claimed had been brought to Goa from Maharashtra.
