Goa to have wireless trackers on ore-laden trucks
September 19th, 2011 - 8:23 pm ICT by IANSPanaji, Sep 19 (IANS) The Goa government is mulling installing radio frequency identification (RFI) devices on ore-ferrying trucks in a bid to curb illegal mining in the state, chief minister Digambar Kamat said Monday.
The move comes amid the inaugural paces of the nine-member commission, led by retired Supreme Court judge M.B. Shah, probing charges of illegal mining in the state.
The opposition says several top politicians and cabinet ministers are involved in the multi-crore-rupee scam.
“We have been very active in curbing illegal trade and the RFI is a step in that direction,” Kamat said. “I had myself written to then union minister for environment and forests (MoEF) Jairam Ramesh for a moratorium on new mining leases.”
Describing RFI as a unique system in which radio waves are used to transfer data, he said: “The consignment can be tagged during movement.”
He added that this would make for closer monitoring.
Shah and other members of his commission have been camping in Goa for the last three days, visiting controversial mining leases, interviewing bureaucrats and inspecting documents related to extraction and export of iron ore from the more than 100 operational mines in Goa.
Leader of opposition Manohar Parrikar has accused Chief Minister Digambar Kamat and several cabinet ministers of being party to illegal mining.
Goa exported nearly 54 million tonnes of iron ore in the last financial year, out of which Parrikar has claimed that nearly 20 per cent is from illegal mining.
- Iron ore export eating away resources: Justice Shah - Sep 17, 2011
- Shah Commission begins probing Goa illegal mining - Sep 14, 2011
- 40 mining companies in Goa issued notice - Apr 06, 2012
- Justice Shah calls for public rejection of illegal mining - Sep 18, 2011
- Goa mining scam worth Rs.10,000 crore: Congress legislator - Sep 17, 2011
- Iron ore barge owners want cap on vessels - Nov 11, 2011
- Government pulls up 20 percent mines - Sep 18, 2011
- Ministry orders study on Goa's controversial mining - Aug 23, 2011
- Goa to frame new mining policy - Jul 30, 2010
- Will Congress do a Yeddyurappa with Goa's Kamat? (Letter from Goa) - Sep 21, 2011
- BJP to meet president over Goa illegal mining scam - Oct 31, 2011
- Goa mining scam: Ruling NCP demands thorough probe - Sep 24, 2011
- 'Chief minister against new mining leases in Goa' - Feb 23, 2010
- Our report to bare roots of Goa's illegal mining: BJP - Oct 30, 2011
- Green nod for several Goa mines faulty, says ecologist - Apr 04, 2011
Tags: bureaucrats, cabinet ministers, chief minister, crore, goa government, illegal trade, iron ore, kamat, leader of opposition, member commission, mining leases, moratorium, paces, radio frequency identification, radio waves, ramesh, state chief, supreme court judge, union minister, unique system