Says company violated monitoring process of ore transported from Karnataka; warns company of using any undue influence by resorting to shutting down operations Directorate of Mines and Geology (DMG) on Thursday cancelled the import and transit permits issued to Vedanta Ltd for import of 12,000 metric tonnes (MT) of ore procured from Karnataka for domestic consumption, after the company was found violating the monitoring process of transported ore. Mines Director Prasanna Acharya said Vedanta Ltd, had procured 12,0OO MT lumps in an e-auction conducted by Karnataka and obtained bulk permit dated July 14. Acharya said that the import and transit permits were issued upon a specific condition that the entry tickets for trucks shall be issued at the check post at Mollem from where the vehicle movement in Goa shall be monitored by DMG staff with the help of ICT devices. “The firm was specifically directed to inform about arrival of ore laden vehicles at the border check post, so that their transport activities within the State can be monitored,” he said. “We also wanted to ensure that the ore transported is used only for domestic consumption,” the Director said, adding that despite this the trucks entered the State without monitoring. “At the Amona plant, the inspecting team found that nearly all trucks have already unloaded the material at the plant site even without waiting for DMG officials in clear violations of the conditions mentioned in permit etc so also specific instructions,” director said. Cancelling the permit, DMG said that no fresh import permit will be issued till a detailed inventory of the ore unloaded is done. “Till a foolproof system is put in place any undue influence attempted by the company in the name of shutting down of plant operations or jeopardizing the employment of Goans employed etc shall be treated as direct interference in the day-to-day administration and functioning of the department,” Acharya said.