Panaji: State govt has taken a decision to allow export of minor minerals from Goa. It will charge Rs 65 per metric tonne of minor mineral exports from the state. Minor minerals include ordinary sand, building stones, ordinary clay and gravel among others.Govt has come out with standard operating procedures (SOP) for regulating the import of minor minerals from outside the state for export from Goa. It took a decision after many exporters approached the directorate of mines and geology (DMG) seeking permission to export minor minerals from the state.Earlier, there was no provision to issue any permission to the exporters and traders to export minor minerals. “With this decision, govt will get additional revenue from exports and storage of minor minerals,” a senior govt officer said.Director of mines Narayan Gad said that upon receipt of applications, the dealing officer may issue permission for transit of minor minerals into the state after the payment of processing fees.“Any person who intends to store or process the minor mineral brought in the state shall apply for permission to the competent officer, declaring the proposed storage location of minor mineral, type, quantity of the minor mineral along with such other details as may be specified and obtain all the necessary permissions from the concerned authorities,” Gad said.The officer after conducting such inquiry as he deems fit, shall issue a transit permit or export permit, as the case may be, on the basis of which transit passes shall be issued.“The competent officer may, for the purposes of better monitoring, require the applicant to install weighbridges or impose such other conditions as may be felt necessary,” Gad said.Govt said that a police inspector will be responsible for maintaining a vigil and taking action in cases of illegal extraction of minor minerals in his respective jurisdiction.Talathis will be responsible for reporting any cases of illegal extraction of minor minerals within their jurisdiction.
