The United Goans Democratic Party has said it is deeply disturbed by news reports that the imposition of a 50 rupees cess per ton on extraction and sale of minerals is a mere ploy to extort money from the mine owners. UGDP Acting President, Radharao Gracias has called upon the people of Goa to be alert and to oppose any move to withdraw or reduce the cess. He said the UGDP will be compelled to come on the streets and launch a mass movement if the cess is dropped ostensibly in public interest, but actually for the monetary benefit of the colluding ministers. Gracias said it is understood that 2-3 senior ministers are in cahoots and emissaries have been sent to the mine owners to contribute and pay a particular amount to the ministers to drop the cess. "The long pending demand of the UGDP that a cess should be levied on the extraction and sale of iron and manganese ore from Goa has been partly met in the recent budget', he said. However, Gracias said the cess of 50 rupees is a pittance considering the fact that the price of ore has increased four-fold in the last three years, without a corresponding increase in the cost of production. He said the mine owners are now raking in unheard of profits without any benefit to the people of the state. "On the contrary, there is complete degradation of the environment due to unhindered mining which can only be addressed by making the mine owners pay to undo the damage', he added.