Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Saturday thanked the central government for scrapping export duty on iron ore and steel.
‘I would like to thank the Prime Minister, Home Minister and the Finance Minister for withdrawing the export duty. Its a big relief to the iron ore industry in the state and the Goan economy. We had written to the Prime Minister, Home Minister and the Finance Minister requesting them to withdraw the notification issued in May this year as the government decision would have had huge impact on the state,’ Dr Sawant told reporters in the city.
According to the chief minister, 60 million tonnes of iron ore has been e-auctioned during the last 7-8 years and the state government has approximately 20 million tonnes of iron which is to be auctioned.
The Chief Minister said that there is a scope of re-starting mining activities in the state.
Earlier in the day, the central government announced withdrawal of export duty on steel.
‘The Central Government has restored the status quo as was prevailing prior to 22nd May, 2022, and withdrawn the export duty on iron ores lumps and fines below 58% Fe content, iron ore pellets and the specified steel products including pig iron,’ a statement from the Finance Ministry said.
The import duty concessions on Anthracite or PCI coal, coking coal, coke and semi coke and ferronickel have also been withdrawn, the statement said.
