Panaji : Former Karnataka Lokayukta Santosh Hegde on Sunday said that huge tones of iron ore were illegally exported from Goa ports to Karnataka via train.

Speaking at the half day ‘Proposed Goa Lokayukta Bill’ interactive workshop at Dona Paula, Hegde said the Karnataka Lokayukta report revealed that ore was transported from Goa to Karnataka showing it is for the consumption of local industries.

“But the truth is that ore was mixed with low grade ore in Goa and transported thereafter…A small state like Goa is extracting massive amount of ore,” Hegde, also a member of Jan Lokpal drafting committee, rued.

Reacting to the re-drafting of Goa Lokayukta Bill, he stated that Goa should move ahead with the notification of Goa Lokayukta Bill 2003 than working on the fresh draft.

“If any clarification is sought by the Centre in the 2003 Bill, it should be replied taking accent of the President and subsequently implementing it. Why wait for two years for starting all over again?” he said adding that in the backdrop of illegal mining activities and violation of coastal regulation zone, Lokayukta is a must in Goa.

Goa State Law Commission redrafted the state Lokayukta Bill which will be tabled in the forthcoming assembly session on October 5.