KARWAR: After the ore scam, it seems now it is the turn of granite quarrying. Reports
of late suggest that there had been widespread irregularities even in granite quarrying and
export.
Sources indicated that there was much difference in royalty collected by the Department
of Mines and Geology and the actual amount of granite exported. A strong doubt that
is gaining ground is that granites that were transported in overloaded lorries, had been
exported and the quantity of the same was unaccountable. It is also being said that none
of the politicians are raising voice in this regard owing to the involvement of several
influential leaders and their relatives.
The highly priced granite is reportedly being exported in abundance to China and Japan
by evading taxes. On the other hand, even the officials have been accused of being a
party to the irregularities by not taking action to curb the bunglings.
Investigation also needs to be done as to whether the land where granite quarrying was
permitted belonged to the forest or revenue department.
Granite is exported in abundance from Karwar port. As of now, only the granite stored in
the port are accounted, while the authorities are shrugging off the responsibility as far as
weighing the granite stored outside the port area and fixing the tax amount for the same.
It is strongly believed that the irregularities in granite quarrying and export can be
prevented to a great extent if the various departments discharged their responsibilities
effectively and efficiently.
Several officials of the Department of Ports, Mines and T transport may have to forgo
their jobs if a thorough investigation was done into the dealings in the granite quarrying
and export business.
Related news:
