[Goanet] Goa Foundation: DMG encouraging illegal mining transport

[Rahul Basu]

DMG encouraging illegal mining transport

The Goa Foundation today accused the Directorate of Mines & Geology of
continuing to patronize and support open theft and illegal transport of
mineral ores at the expense of the state exchequer and welfare of citizens
in the state. Protests of villagers at Mayem and Pissurlem against such
illegal transport — which is also polluting their environment — are
legitimate and police force should not have been used to support the
illegal mining activity against which the protests had erupted. If such a
state of affairs continues, mining may not resume for another ten years in
the state as it will lead to increasing resistance.

The case of illegal transport from Pissurlem is without doubt a major
scandal, and needs an SIT or CBI investigation. A dump of 300,000 MT has
been e-auctioned for Rs.10 crore when its market value is Rs.90 crore.
Instead, Hanuman Porob, social activist, and several innocent villagers
were harassed and then arrested and assaulted by police when they
questioned the illegal transport. The police ought to have inquired from
the DMG and the Pollution Control Board about NOCs and approvals granted
for the transport, which are non-existent. Instead, they decided “to shoot
the messenger” instead.

In the case of Mayem transportation, the villagers have objected to
movement of transport from a dump outside the Chougule mining lease through
the narrow and already degraded road that passes through their village.
Dump mining is explicitly prohibited by the apex court. Almost 400 trucks
commenced plying on the village road, causing great anxiety and
uncontrolled pollution. Red dust invaded people’s homes. The Pollution
Control Board admitted there was no monitoring system installed and neither
was it informed of the proposed transport. However, when villagers
protested and blocked the movement of trucks, police officers again
arrested the protestors, including the lady sarpanch of the village.
Bullying by police force will not solve the problems of illegal mining.

If this is the corporate social responsibility of the mining trade, one
wonders what is destined to happen if mining extraction resumes full scale
in the state.

The Foundation has received reports that more looting of dumps and stacks
is scheduled to commence this week in additional mining areas of the state.
The DMG has no staff to place at any of these places to ensure that
operations are conducted without harassment and disturbance to village
communities. Thus the very procedures laid down for movement of e-auctioned
ore are being violated by the department. The situation has become a
free-for-all.

Pursuant to its investigations, the Goa Foundation wrote to the Chief
Secretary demanding an investigation into the decisions of the DMG to allow
mining from dumps at Pissurlem and Mayem. Copy of the latter is annexed
.
The letter carries explicit details of the scandals involved in each case.

We hope the new Chief Minister will look into these endless malpractices of
the department and ensure that the concerned officials are shifted out.

(Claude Alvares, goafoundat...@gmail.com)
Director

Re: [Goanet] [Goanet-News] The Unwritten Rules of Oyster Fishing (Aaron Lobo)

[Rahul Basu]

I should mention that Guy was the very first person to support the Goenchi
Mati Manifesto with the memorable quote "simple, feasible and enlightened".
So Goa has a lot to thank him for.

Rahul

On Tue, Jun 9, 2020, 12:10 PM Guy Standing 
wrote:

> Rahul,
>
> Thanks for doing that.
>
> Aaron: If you have another article that illustrates the need to preserve
> what might be called 'the oyster commons', please send it.
>
> Guy
>
> *Dr Guy Standing FAcSS*
> *Professorial Research Associate*
> *SOAS U**niversity of London*
>
>
> *Hon.Co-President, Basic Income Earth Network
> <https://basicincome.org>(BIEN)*
>
> *Indian basic income pilot video
> <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UvErJvuWrWc>*
>
> *Why everyone deserves a basic income video
> <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3edptV9C4ko>*
>
>
> *Mob: +41 (0)79 647 6379*
>
> *Email: guystand...@standingnet.com *
>
> *Website: www.guystanding.com <http://www.guystanding.com/>*
>
> *Facebook: www.facebook.com/ThePrecariat
> <http://www.facebook.com/ThePrecariat>*
>
> *Latest books: Battling Eight Giants: Basic Income Now
> <https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/battling-eight-giants-9780755600656/>
> (Bloomsbury, 2020); Plunder of the Commons: A Manifesto for Sharing Public
> Wealth
> <https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/308/308407/plunder-of-the-commons/9780141990620.html>
> (Penguin, 2019); *Basic Income: And How We Can Make It Happen
> <https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/304706/basic-income/> (Penguin, 2017); *The
> Corruption of Capitalism: Why Rentiers Thrive and Work Does Not Pay
> <https://www.bitebackpublishing.com/books/the-corruption-of-capitalism>
> (Biteback, 2016) *
>
>
>
>
> On Tue, 9 Jun 2020 at 08:30, Rahul Basu  wrote:
>
>> I've copied Aaron and Frederick, and taken the entire Goanet list from
>> the chain.
>>
>> Aaron has written a few pieces earlier, as evocative.
>>
>> Rahul
>> Today is the first day of the rest of your life !
>>
>>
>> On Tue, Jun 9, 2020 at 11:47 AM Guy Standing 
>> wrote:
>>
>>> Dear Frederick,
>>>
>>> This is a brilliant article. Please congratulate the author. We will be
>>> citing it in our book on the blue commons.
>>>
>>> Embedded in the analysis are some powerful lessons for the revival of
>>> the blue commons.
>>>
>>> Go well. Guy Standing
>>>
>>> *Dr Guy Standing FAcSS*
>>> *Professorial Research Associate*
>>> *SOAS U**niversity of London*
>>>
>>>
>>> *Hon.Co-President, Basic Income Earth Network
>>> <https://basicincome.org>(BIEN)*
>>>
>>> *Indian basic income pilot video
>>> <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UvErJvuWrWc>*
>>>
>>> *Why everyone deserves a basic income video
>>> <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3edptV9C4ko>*
>>>
>>>
>>> *Mob: +41 (0)79 647 6379*
>>>
>>> *Email: guystand...@standingnet.com *
>>>
>>> *Website: www.guystanding.com <http://www.guystanding.com/>*
>>>
>>> *Facebook: www.facebook.com/ThePrecariat
>>> <http://www.facebook.com/ThePrecariat>*
>>>
>>> *Latest books: Battling Eight Giants: Basic Income Now
>>> <https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/battling-eight-giants-9780755600656/>
>>> (Bloomsbury, 2020); Plunder of the Commons: A Manifesto for Sharing Public
>>> Wealth
>>> <https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/308/308407/plunder-of-the-commons/9780141990620.html>
>>> (Penguin, 2019); *Basic Income: And How We Can Make It Happen
>>> <https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/304706/basic-income/> (Penguin, 2017); *The
>>> Corruption of Capitalism: Why Rentiers Thrive and Work Does Not Pay
>>> <https://www.bitebackpublishing.com/books/the-corruption-of-capitalism>
>>> (Biteback, 2016) *
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> On Mon, 8 Jun 2020 at 22:05, Goanet Reader 
>>> wrote:
>>>
>>>> The Unwritten Rules of Oyster Fishing
>>>>
>>>> By Aaron Lobo aaronlob...@gmail.com
>>>> WhatsApp +91 +91 83089 39019
>>>>
>>>> For World Ocean Day, Aaron
>>>> Savio Lobo studies the
>>>> fascinating rules of oyster
>>>> fishing, and the surprising
>>>> role they play in creating a
>>>> more sustainable future.
>>>>
>>>> If there is one thing the COVID-19 pandemic has exposed, it
>>>> is our heavy reliance on the global fo

Re: [Goanet] [Goanet-News] The Unwritten Rules of Oyster Fishing (Aaron Lobo)

[Rahul Basu]

I've copied Aaron and Frederick, and taken the entire Goanet list from the
chain.

Aaron has written a few pieces earlier, as evocative.

Rahul
Today is the first day of the rest of your life !


On Tue, Jun 9, 2020 at 11:47 AM Guy Standing 
wrote:

> Dear Frederick,
>
> This is a brilliant article. Please congratulate the author. We will be
> citing it in our book on the blue commons.
>
> Embedded in the analysis are some powerful lessons for the revival of the
> blue commons.
>
> Go well. Guy Standing
>
> *Dr Guy Standing FAcSS*
> *Professorial Research Associate*
> *SOAS U**niversity of London*
>
>
> *Hon.Co-President, Basic Income Earth Network
> (BIEN)*
>
> *Indian basic income pilot video
> *
>
> *Why everyone deserves a basic income video
> *
>
>
> *Mob: +41 (0)79 647 6379*
>
> *Email: guystand...@standingnet.com *
>
> *Website: www.guystanding.com *
>
> *Facebook: www.facebook.com/ThePrecariat
> *
>
> *Latest books: Battling Eight Giants: Basic Income Now
> 
> (Bloomsbury, 2020); Plunder of the Commons: A Manifesto for Sharing Public
> Wealth
> 
> (Penguin, 2019); *Basic Income: And How We Can Make It Happen
>  (Penguin, 2017); *The
> Corruption of Capitalism: Why Rentiers Thrive and Work Does Not Pay
> 
> (Biteback, 2016) *
>
>
>
>
> On Mon, 8 Jun 2020 at 22:05, Goanet Reader  wrote:
>
>> The Unwritten Rules of Oyster Fishing
>>
>> By Aaron Lobo aaronlob...@gmail.com
>> WhatsApp +91 +91 83089 39019
>>
>> For World Ocean Day, Aaron
>> Savio Lobo studies the
>> fascinating rules of oyster
>> fishing, and the surprising
>> role they play in creating a
>> more sustainable future.
>>
>> If there is one thing the COVID-19 pandemic has exposed, it
>> is our heavy reliance on the global food network and the ease
>> with which it can break down.  It has also given us the
>> opportunity to reflect on how our food is produced, and the
>> cost (most often hidden) of its production.
>>
>> This is particularly true for the seafood sector which has
>> been globally marred by overfishing, human-rights violations
>> and the wanton destruction of marine ecosystems.  Sourcing
>> locally has never been more important than it is today.
>> However, most of our local, traditional food systems will
>> struggle to meet the demand if not adequately strengthened
>> and incentivised.
>>
>>   Summers in Goa are typically shellfish months -- a
>>   time to enjoy the diversity of clam, mussels and
>>   oysters, grown and matured to full size.  As May
>>   heats up and urraq (the lighter and fruitier
>>   version of cashew feni) drinking is at its peak, I
>>   especially look forward to eating calvam (oysters)
>>   and shinaneo (green mussels).  I must confess that
>>   while I love the Goan style-rawa fried shinaneo I
>>   am not a huge fan of Goan oyster bhaaji, which I
>>   find to be overpowered by xacuti masala.  I resort
>>   to cooking oysters myself.
>>
>> Both oysters and mussels are available in plenty at the
>> numerous fish markets in the state during this season, but I
>> prefer to go straight to the source -- Pradip's home along the
>> Nerul creek.  Pradip and his family have been harvesting
>> oysters for years now, and usually sell them at the Nerul
>> market, or near the bridge.
>>
>> PHOTO: Freshly shucked plump Brackish river oysters
>>
>> HARVESTING OYSTERS
>>
>> In Goa, while both men and women are involved in harvesting
>> oysters, there is typically a difference in the way they do
>> it.  Women can be seen chipping for hooded oysters
>> (Saccostrea cucullata) with their sickles, on the exposed
>> rocky rubble at low tide; while the men paddle out in their
>> canoes with long bamboo poles, into the deeper waters of the
>> creek, inhabited by the large Brackish water oyster
>> (Magallana bilineata).
>>
>> They then push their poles into the creek's soft floor, which
>> supports them as they lower themselves several feet below, to
>> the bottom of the creek.  Here, they sift through the soft
>> sediments with their hands, emerging every couple of minutes
>> with one or two large oysters.
>>
>> They use gloves to protect themselves from the razor-sharp
>> oyster shells, which are often further encrusted with other
>> oysters and barnacles. To make sure the oysters are alive
>> and full, they tap the shell on the sides of their canoes.  A
>> hollow sound indicates they are dead and empty -- therefore,
>> to be discarded.
>>
>>   They do occasionally bring up entire 

[Goanet] 2 Talks at GU, Dec 5, 10:30 am

[Rahul Basu]

*Goa Business School*


* Research Cluster on Biodiversity, Ecosystems & Climate
ChangeGoa University*

An invitation to two talks


*How can Natural Coastal Infrastructure Help Build the Resilience of
Coastal Communities ?*By Nisha D'Souza
&

*Natural resources as a shared inheritance : Accounting for the resource
curse.*By Rahul Basu




*Date :5th December 2019Time :   10:30 am to 12:30 pmVenue :
Auditorium, Goa Business School, Faculty Block F, Goa University*
*All are Welcome*


*Outline of Nisha's talk*The Indian coastline is being subject to an
increasing frequency and intensity of natural disasters. Hundreds of
vulnerable people (particularly the poorest), important infrastructure,
tourism and trade, and the integrity of coastal biodiversity and ecosystems
are being adversely affected, causing significant human suffering and
losses to local economies. This talk will touch on the factors that enable
social and ecological systems to develop and strengthen their capacities
for resilience, adaptation and transformation to natural disasters. It will
explore how natural coastal infrastructure, particularly mangroves, play an
important role in this, by substantially reducing exposure and
vulnerability, and increasing coping capacities. The talk will highlight
cases where community-based governance and stewardship, the inclusion of
women in decision-making processes, education and awareness, the targeted
restoration of habitats and, multi-sectoral and multi-partner
collaborations, have enhanced resilience-building, and adaptation and
transformation capacities of social and ecological systems along Indian’s
coastline, to natural disasters.


Natural resources include our environment, minerals, and land. From an
economic standpoint, land and minerals are the most valuable. Wealth
attracts thieves, adventurers, rent seekers and crony capitalists. It is
not surprising that mining encourages corruption, as private parties
attempt to capture most of the value through "legal" but fundamentally
illegitimate contracts. This in turn drives environment and human rights
violations, which gives rise to conflict. Iron ore mining in Goa has become
a contentious issue between government and civil society. In his talk,
Rahul will speak about the work of the Goa Foundation, an environmental
NGO, in raising awareness about mining as Goa’s largest environmental issue
for over twenty five years. Goa Foundation uses the Intergenerational
Equity Principle to propose an ethical, fair and just resolution to the
issue in the form of 5 principles for fair mining. This proposal has
support from the Constitution, our traditions and customs, economics and
global best practices, and is specifically designed to counter most of the
resource curse impacts. As a result of a recommendation from the Goa
Foundation, the Supreme Court has ordered the creation of the Goa Iron Ore
Permanent Fund. This is intended to be a savings fund akin to the oil funds
of Norway and Alaska. India's National Mineral Policy 2019 recognizes
natural resources including minerals as a shared inheritance. And the
International Public Sector Accounting Standards Board (IPSASB) has started
work on a new standard for natural resources.

Hope to see some of you there.
Rahul
Today is the first day of the rest of your life !

[Goanet] Goan lessons for Portugal in lithium mining

[Rahul Basu]

Here's a recent article (in Portuguese) that argues that Portugal should
see lithium as a shared inheritance. The people alive have a duty to ensure
future generations inherit either the lithium or its value. This provides a
middle path between those who don't want any lithium extraction and those
who advocate for expanded extraction. These ideas are based on the work of
the Goa Foundation  and the advocacy of the Goenchi
Mati Movement  and The Future We Need

.

https://www.publico.pt/2019/11/23/opiniao/opiniao/equidade-intergeracional-extracao-litio-prioridade-estado-1894759

Rahul
Today is the first day of the rest of your life !

[Goanet] Mining has no moral backbone

[Rahul Basu]

*By Sarah Dynah McGinnis*



*http://www.heraldgoa.in/Review/Voice-Of-Opinion/Mining-has-no-moral-backbone/108154.html
*


In 2012, mining leases in Goa had expired and mining activities halted. The
Supreme Court had declared all mining, from 22-Nov-2007 illegal. Goa had a
clean slate! A fresh start could be made in all aspects of mining and
mining controls. Now the question is where to begin?



In order to build a better relationship with mining we first need to
evaluate the impact of mining reduction on state finances, mining
dependents and Goan citizens affected by mining cessation. We also need to
consider not only our own current welfare, but that of our future
generations.



The 2014 Supreme Court judgement drastically reframed mining activity in
terms of delineating physical mining lease boundaries, licensing,
extraction caps and ensuring sustainable development.  Large amounts of
mined ore were handed over to the state to e-auction. In addition an
estimated Rs. 65,058 crores was recoverable on account of the period of
illegal mining.



Despite such hefty amounts gifted by the Supreme Court to the state, why
has the Goa government withheld support from mining dependents that
suffered due to lost income? Is this a cynical strategy designed to
guarantee that our unemployed miners become desperate?  Is it a way to
ensure enough agitation to force a restart of senseless, greed-driven,
destructive form of mining?

There are in effect two key categories of local people involved with
mining: the mining dependent and the mining affected.  Mining dependents
are direct and indirect employees. The mining affected are a much larger
group situated mainly in the mining belt where they bear the brunt of the
mining impacts. Lives have been decimated due to depleted agricultural
incomes, chronic respiratory health due to dust, constant noise stress,
poor water quality (especially the Selaulim dam which supplies South Goa),
the desolation of the river life and frequent mortalities from truck
accidents.

Historically mining has a long tradition in Goa.  Iron ore mines were known
to the Portuguese from the early 1700s. From as early as 1910 manganese ore
was mined in Bicholim. At that time extracting was manual and generated
significant employment.  After WWII demand soared for reconstruction works.
By the time of liberation in 1961, mining was a big employers and some 800
mining concessions were granted.



Mechanisation meant mining on a much larger scale. Explosives, trucks and
sophisticated machinery was employed for excavation, loading and
transporting. Trucks increased in size to 10 tons and barges to 2,000 tons.
According to the DISHA report by TERI mass extraction continued to
accelerate until the mining suspension when growth was at a consistent at
11.1% per annum.



As a direct result of augmented mining activity traditional societies
collapsed: the state witnessed mass incoming migration and women lost
financial status due to the male-dominated industry.



In 1987 the Indian Government passed the Abolition Act, converting
perpetual concessions into fixed term mining leases. The China boom in the
early 2000s caused iron ore prices to soar and in the rush to extract and
export malpractice became common. Numerous PILs were filed and mines shut
down culminating in the release of the explosive Shah Commission Report in
the Parliament, and the subsequent mining bans.



During the Supreme Court hearings following the Shah Commission, it became
clear that there were massive amounts of abuse and violations by miners
with involvement of the state administration.



There is a lot of controversy surrounding the impact of illegal mining on
the economy of Goa. It’s sometimes difficult to separate fact from fiction
but one thing is certain: Goans have suffered a staggering loss due to an
uncontrolled mining bonanza both directly and indirectly. Damage that
equates to an estimated Rs. 10 lakhs for every man, woman and child just on
account of the renewal of the 88 mining leases.



The corrupt status of mining in recent history only serves to line pockets.
It does virtually nothing to support the livelihoods of Goans. We need to
recognise that minerals are a finite resource. According to the Shah
Commission, we were on course to deplete our mineral resources *within 9
years*. Mining will come to an end and Goans will have failed to discharge
our moral duty towards our future generations who will inherit a devastated
land devoid of resources and an impoverished future. Could we look them in
the eye?


One cannot emphasise enough the significance of the Supreme Court ruling
which validates public ownership of Goa’s subsoil minerals.
Intergenerational Equity has now assumed centre stage whereby the people of
Goa are reinstated as the beneficent owners of our land and our minerals.
The ruling endorsed public ownership of minerals 

[Goanet] The Great Goan Mining Heist: Implications of the 2014 Supreme Court Judgement Ruling

[Rahul Basu]

http://www.heraldgoa.in/Review/Voice-Of-Opinion/The-Great-Goan-Mining-Heist-
Implications-of-the-2014-Supreme-Court-Judgement-Ruling/107921.html

By Sarah Dynah McGinnis



Over the last ten years mining losses have been variously reported and
unsubstantiated estimates touted. In among all of this, one thing is
certain: the trend is consistently upwards. Amounts have been quoted from
Rs. 3,500 crores due to non-payment of royalty (PAC Report) to Rs. 35,000
crores due to mining outside lease areas (Shah Commission). However the
latest official calculation from Goa Foundation has established the legally
recoverable amount stands at an incredible Rs. 65,000 crores  . . . and
counting. This latest sum follows the 2014 Supreme Court landmark judgement
in the Goa Mining case filed by Goa Foundation. To put it in perspective,
this latest jaw-dropping figure equates to six years of the entire revenues
of Goa government!



*What was the Goa Mining Case about?*

To understand how we got to this position we need to trace a little history.



*The legal challenge*

The Goa Mining Case was a Public Interest Litigation (WP 435 of 2012)
originally filed in September 2012 by Goa Foundation (GF) against the Union
of India, State of Goa, Ministry of Mines, Indian Bureau of Mines, and Goa
State Pollution Control Board. It was formulated as follows:



*Writ Petition under Article 32 of the Constitution of India:*

*‘ . . . in the wake of the continuing illegal mining in the State of Goa
in complete and flagrant violation of statutory norms, which not only
raises issues of serious concerns about the adverse and irreparable damage
caused to the ecology and degradation of environment in the State, but also
on issues concerning transparency and accountability in the functioning of
the Government’*



Fundamental to the case were the mining illegalities and abuses previously
exposed by the report of the Public Accounts Committee of the Goa State
Legislature (headed by Manohar Parrikar) and the national Commission of
Enquiry headed by retired Justice Shah.



Even subsequent to the Shah Commission’s findings, system-wide abuse
continued. These abuses were listed in the petition. The main accusations
levelled at each of the authorities were details of consistent flagrant
misconduct, and abuse of power in support of illegal mining.



More than twenty scientific studies clearly demonstrating the negative
impact of mining on the environment, economy, health and social fabric of
Goa were brought into evidence.



GF provided calculations of the losses due to illegal mining and specified
the amounts to be recovered. These figures resulted from detailed
 investigations into the annual reports of Sesa Goa (now Vedanta India)
along with data from the Industry body, Goa Mineral Ore Exporters
Association (GMOEA).

The Goa Mining Case introduced crucial elements of constitutional law to
support the ‘Intergenerational Equity’ principle that minerals are the
inheritance of future generations, that the income from these belongs to
the community as custodians and that the state is appointed as trustee on
their behalf.



*What happened in the Supreme Court*

At the first hearing on 5th October, 2012, the Supreme Court immediately
stopped all mining and transportation in Goa. The Central Empowered
Committee (CEC) was asked to examine the allegations of the Shah Committee
and to file a report with the Supreme Court.



The CEC filed its interim report on the 7th December 2012. It reported

*“The mining operations in Goa have violated with impunity the relevant
Acts, Rules and Regulations and orders of this Hon’ble Court.”*



*“A very large number of mining leases were being operated by persons other
than the lessees and in flagrant violation of the provisions of the MCR,
1960 and in all probability with the tacit approval of the State
Government. Based on the unregistered and dubious General Power of
Attorneys and other documents, the mining lease have been allowed to be
operated by persons having clout by treating the leases granted to
individual persons as those granted to partnership firms and the inclusion
of such persons as partners in the firms (and retirement of the genuine
lease holders).”*



*The Hearings*

Over the course of 2013, the Supreme Court heard the Goa Mining Case. The
Goa Government filed a number of affidavits stating it would:

1.   commission investigative auditing of the returns filed by the
mining companies and traders for past 10 years by a panel of Chartered
Accountants.

2.   appoint the six-member High Powered Justice RMS Khandepar
Committee to look into the allegations of the Shah Commission.

3.   carry out CBI enquiry into the matters mentioned in the PAC
Report.

4.   refer the issue of illegal mining to an independent investigative
agency such as CBI/Lokayukta.

5.   take all necessary measures within the framework of the Act and
Rules to recover maximum amounts from the wrong doers.

6.   

[Goanet] Where did it all go wrong?

[Rahul Basu]

*Mining in Goa: The effects on our land, our waterways, our health and our
economic futures*

*By **Sarah Dynah McGinnis*


http://www.heraldgoa.in/Review/Voice-Of-Opinion/The-mining-effects-on-our-land-our-waterways-our-health-and-our-economic-futures/107438.html



Aside from our mineral assets being taken without our consent and
redistributed to the wealthy few, what else went wrong with mining in Goa?



To be fair mining of itself is not the core issue, it is the abuses
surrounding the industry that creates problems. Within reasonable confines
the earth supports our welfare. It supplies natural resources and man has
the intelligence to not only farm these, but also transmute these into more
sophisticated materials for our individual, local, national and
international trade. This round of sustainable economic activity in turn
provides work and livelihoods for the people of Goa. It can further provide
an opportunity to save our mineral revenues for future generations, for
example in ‘future-proof’ savings plans such as ‘zero loss permanent funds’



In principle there is nothing wrong with an honest day’s work for an honest
day’s pay, but how honest has the mining industry been? How transparent
have our media and politicians been in reporting on the less salubrious
aspects of these activities? What are the tangible effects of uncontrolled
mining? What damage has maverick mining done to our welfare?



The Goenchi Mati Movement (GMM) has proven the case that Goa’s mineral
assets are completely and exclusively the property of the citizens of Goa.
This legal and constitutional premise renders Goans the current and
enduring legal *custodians *of Goa’s environment and minerals for future
generations.



Rights however, are inextricably linked to responsibilities. As custodians
we have a responsibility, individually and as a community, to examine and
rectify any anomalies we discover in how our mineral resources are mined
and disposed of. This entails monitoring the processes and activities of
our governing bodies as well as ensuring proper distribution of our
minerals once they have been converted into currency.



Thus far due to unmonitored and chronic mismanagement, each and every one
of us has sustained substantial economic losses as a direct result of
illegal mining activities. Following a Supreme Court ruling, the estimated
‘recoverable’ figure stood at Rs. 65,000 crores and is the subject of a
legal case by Goa Foundation.



However, aside from the monetary calculations of damages, there is an
additional set of important concerns that relate to the immediate effects
of out-of-control mining. What are these and how do they impact on us
directly?



The key concerns broadly divide into two sets of issues:

·   Multiple, flagrant and consistent violations of mining law and
regulations

·   The flouting of environmental, community and civic laws which
attack the roots of  our daily lives, wellbeing and social infrastructure.



In November 2010 a Commission of Inquiry led by Retd. SC Justice M.B. Shah
was set up by the union government to examine illegalities in iron ore
mining in of Goa, Odisha and Jharkhand. The resulting definitive report on
Goa was released in Parliament in 2012. The following extract from the
findings gives an indication of the litany of offences:



·   mining without a licence

·   mining outside the lease area

·   undertaking mining in a lease area without taking approval of the
concerned State Government for transfer of concession

·   raising of minerals without lawful authority

·   raising of minerals without paying royalty in accordance with the
quantities and grade

·   mining in contravention of a mining plan

·   transportation of raised mineral without lawful authority

·   mining and transportation of raised mineral in contravention of
applicable Central and State Acts and rules thereunders

·   conducting of multiple trade transactions to obfuscate the origin
and source of minerals in order to facilitate their disposal

·   tampering with land records and obliteration of inter–State
boundaries with a view to conceal mining outside lease areas; and

·   forging or misusing valid transportation permits and using forged
transport permits and other documents to raise, transport, trade and export
minerals

The Shah commission reported that large-scale mining and the
overexploitation of minerals would result in changes to the natural
eco-system of the area. This in turn would affect the tourism industry
vital to the economy.  It raised concerns as to the sustainability of
minerals and mining, and the effective dilution of Goa’s legacy for future
generations.



*Rs. 35,000 crores . . . *

*extracted outside of mining lease areas’,*

 The Shah Commission

* ‘ *

The Shah Commission estimated that an amount of Rs. 35,000 crores was
recoverable on account of ore being extracted outside of mining lease
areas. It also 

[Goanet] Goa’s Inglorious Past: The Great Mining Swindle

[Rahul Basu]

*Zero loss mining and intergenerational equity*
*By Sarah Dynah McGinnis*

*http://www.heraldgoa.in/Review/Voice-Of-Opinion/The-shocking-truth-about-the-theft-of-Goa%E2%80%99s-mineral-wealth/106937.html
*

A loss amounting to twice the cumulative state revenues was uncovered
following an investigation into mining activities by Goa Foundation. This
money represents the value of minerals mined and exported during the period
2004 to 2012 from Goa.  The amount represents a Rs. 3.7 Lakhs loss of
mineral assets for each and every Goan; minerals that we inherited and to
be passed on to our children.

How is it possible that the state could have lost this massive sum of money
and for this to go unreported? In addition, how can those in power have
handed over our inheritance to the mining company which amounted to more
than the cumulative state revenues?

Who is the architect of this ‘great mining swindle’? How can we resolve to
recover this money? What is zero loss mining and how can we implement this
to protect us from this type of criminal theft in the future?

The last ten years have witnessed radical changes to mining practices in
Goa. These changes contrast with the methods historically used to extract
our rich Goan mineral resources. The latter half of last century saw the
emergence of steady, long-term relationships with Japan and other nations
that benefitted employment while at the same time creating welcome foreign
exchange. This consistent and balanced approach to mineral extraction
helped insulate Goa against technological advances, mechanisation and the
inevitable cycles of ‘boom and bust’, that were features of the late1970s
and early 1990s economic climate.

In stark contrast to the historic approach, the last ten years have seen a
major shift from the established pattern of long-term contractual supply,
to ‘spot pricing’, in particular of iron ore. This change to the method of
pricing developed mainly as a response to demand from China. As a
consequence of this shift a mining frenzy ensued, resulting in what can
best be described as a free-for-all. Fuelled by increased iron ore values,
profiteering soared and greedy mining company bosses ensured that prices
were matched on the ground by accelerated of levels of extraction and
unlicensed activity.

Criminal levels of profiteering by out-of-control mining companies was not
exclusively a Goan phenomenon. In 2010 an urgent inquiry was launched under
Justice M.B. Shah, to investigate mining malpractices across three states.
In 2011 the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of the Goa Legislative
Assembly, under the chairmanship of the then leader of the opposition,
Manohar Parrikar of the BJP, likewise submitted a report into mining
activity.

A shocking catalogue of offences concerning the illegal siphoning of Goa’s
natural resources was uncovered. Crony capitalism and systemic corruption
abounded. A complex and sickening catalogue of theft against the
community-owned land assets and the people of Goa was exposed.

in 2012 the Shah Commission stated “*  illegal acts can’t happen
without connivance of the politicians, bureaucrats and lessees. There is a
complete collapse of the system.*”

Not only did this scandal involve India's richest, most powerful, feudal
and dynastic mining bosses, but the PAC Report charged the department of
mines, the pollution control board, the forest department, the police, the
ministry of environment and forests, the Indian Bureau of Mines and the
Director General of Mines Safety with systemic corruption and collusion in
illegal mining.

*Rs 3,500 crores ‘lost’ by the State of Goa!*

Hugely significant among the many improprieties relating to illegal and
excess extraction, was the scandalous finding that the state had somehow
‘lost’ Rs. 3,500 crores due to iron ore being exported without any form of
royalty being paid. In truth this money was due not to the state, but to
the true custodial and constitutionally legal owners of the Goan minerals;
the people of Goa.

To what extent do these enormous figures ultimately translate into dilution
of our community-owned assets? Our jointly and severally owned minerals and
our intergenerational equity?

Goa Foundation conducted an analysis of the audited financial statements of
Sesa Goa along with volumetric data from the industry body, GMOEA, for an
eight-year period (2004-2012). They discovered that during this period, the
state of Goa exported Rs. 87,748 crores of iron ore.

They then calculated what would be a generous and realistic estimate of
average extraction costs. This figure amounted to Rs. 33,914 crores,
inclusive of a generous allowance of 20% post-tax return on the capital
employed for the miners.

As a result, Rs. 53,833 crores is a conservative estimate of the value of
the community-owned mineral assets prior to extraction. This amount is the

[Goanet] The shocking truth about the theft of Goa’s mineral wealth

[Rahul Basu]

*The shocking truth about the theft of Goa’s mineral wealth
*
*The five principles of the Goenchi Mati Movement*
By Sarah Dynah McGinnis

What would you say if you were told that each and every member of your
family had been unceremoniously and consistently robbed over an eight-year
period to the tune of Rupees 3.7 Lakhs? A theft of inherited wealth, passed
down through the generations, now almost beyond recovery and the
perpetrators yet to be brought to justice.

These are the incontrovertible facts about the prolonged syphoning of Goa’s
mineral wealth. The shocking truth uncovered by Goa Foundation following a
detailed examination of the audited accounts of Sesa Goa/Vedanta.

Previously the Foundation had mounted an in-depth investigation into the
issues surrounding mining in Goa, winning a landmark case in the Supreme
Court in 2014. The victory consisted of a ruling, which clearly underlined
the need for a radical new policy to manage the unrestrained activities of
the Goan mining industry. As a direct consequence of these developments, a
group of citizens from many backgrounds came together to take up the
challenge of fixing mining in Goa. Thus the pioneering Goenchi Mati
Movement (GMM) was formed, and in turn a detailed, positive and practical
action plan conceived for a way forward.

It’s an open secret that for many years mining companies reigned, unchecked
and allowed to accumulate huge wealth from the profiteering and looting of
the raw minerals that comprise Goa’s heritage. This was done in concert
with central and state governments, making them culpable. As a consequence,
we have suffered an unforgiveable degradation of our Goan land, heritage
and individual welfare.

For example, a staggering 95% of the capital generated by mining over a
period of eight years has been lost. This amount is equivalent to double
the cumulative State revenue for those years. Just 5% of the capital
generated from mining activity was retained by the State, and even this
amount can’t be reliably traced.

At the core of its argument, the GMM maintains that the mineral wealth of
the land of Goa belongs legally, morally and incontrovertibly to the people
and future generations of Goa. Equally, they maintain that the value of
this asset must be preserved for the benefit of the Goan community, a view
supported by both the Indian Constitution and legal precedent.

The GMM challenges the irresponsible actions of the State. Unethical
granting of licences, unregulated and unsustainable mining activities, and
the illegal dispersal of capital in the form of profits combine to describe
a State administration that has overreached its mandate.

The Constitution dictates that the State should act as a trustee on behalf
of the community, not as an owner of the assets. Therefore, the machinery
of state has failed to discharge its duty. It has failed in it’s remit to
be accountable to the people of Goa.

What does this represent in real terms? The GMM states the case clearly and
simply in a set of five principles:
1. Goans own the mineral in common and the state is merely a trustee on
behalf of the people and future generations.
2. Minerals are inherited, thus the value of the mineral wealth of Goa must
be retained in full, and passed on in its entirety to future generations.

These both are proven and enforceable in law under the Public Trust
Doctrine and the Intergenerational Equity Principle memorialised in the
Indian Constitution. It includes all natural resources not just iron ore
and minerals, but all mainland-based forests, water bodies, rivers and
seashores.

3. GMM advocates a measured approach to selling minerals. These minerals
are shared land resources, ‘The Commons’, and as such any capital generated
from these assets, is owned equally by everyone. Minerals need to be
extracted at the appropriate time to fetch the highest price, and be
protected against exhaustion through over-mining. This can be described as
mining on an ‘as and when required’ basis. Most importantly, it must be
‘Zero Loss mining’ – in other words capturing the full value of the mineral.

4. To retain the value and common ownership all capital generated by the
extraction of mineral assets should be invested in a ‘Permanent Fund’. This
forever retains the value of the asset and also allows for inflation.
Examples of this exist globally in countries such as Norway, Chile,
Botswana and Mongolia, and in particular Alaska’s Permanent Fund. Just
recently the Indian Supreme Court ruled 10% of iron ore sale value in Goa
is to be retained a Permanent Fund. This is a first for India, and a global
judicial precedent. A further challenge is now being mounted by GMM to
increase this from 10% to the full 100% of the net mineral receipts.

5. To pay a share of the real income from the Permanent Fund i.e. a
dividend to every citizen of Goa in