Panaji, March 12 (IANS) As the Supreme Court-imposed ban on mining stretches to six months, a state business body Tuesday advocated recovering money from errant mining companies to help Goa tide over its financial worries.
"After the recovery is done, the money should be invested back again into creating infrastructure, schooling and providing proper amenities for those living in the mining belt," Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Manguirish Pai Raikar told reporters here.
Commenting on the findings of a public accounts committee (PAC) report, which said that Rs. 3,200 crore had been swindled by mining companies operating illegally, he indicated that only 40 percent of the total mining carried out in Goa was done in observance with all the legalities.
Raikar also said that the chamber would not ask the Goa government for any rebate or tax cuts this year because the ban on mining had already led to a severe strain on the treasury.
"What we want the government to do is block the leakages which are happening and widen the tax base so that more persons are included in the tax ambit," he said.
According to Goa's chief secretary, the state is set to lose Rs.800 crore in mining revenue for the 2013-14 budget. Goa also had to sell stock securities to the tune of Rs.200 crore earlier this month in order to tide over its financial constraints.
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