The Justice M.B. Shah Commission of Inquiry, which is probing illegal iron ore mining and exports in Goa, has asked the Department of Industries and Mines to initiate police action against 101 erring traders.
Of the 410-odd traders, who had registered themselves with the Department of Mines, it was found during a scrutiny done by the department at the behest of the commission that many could not be traced to their addresses in the State and outside.
After many traders failed to respond to its summons, the department handed over a large number of cases to the police through the Home Department. A report of non-existent and fake traders that the Home Department compiled was forwarded to the commission, which has ordered police action.
The method followed by the Department of Industries and Mines for registration of traders has raised questions: many have been registered without verification of their documents, with no proper addresses and hardly any personal or business details.
The manipulation by unscrupulous traders came to light when it was revealed that a whopping 7 million tonnes of ore was found exported from Goa by 67 traders last year.
