To make mining transparent against the backdrop of rampant illegal activities, the mines ministry has proposed that all state governments including Goa display information on leases on their websites.

The development comes in the wake of centre-appointed one man commission of inquiry -- justice M B Shah commission -- which went into the issue of illegal mining of iron ore and manganese in Goa, recommending that state governments should upload information about mining leases on their websites to introduce transparency in the sector.

Acting on it, the mines ministry in its action taken report on justice Shah commission's recommendations said, "It is proposed to refer this recommendation to all state governments including state government of Goa for taking immediate remedial measures."

The country had witnessed a spurt in illegal mining with 69,337 cases recorded in 2011 while the number of such cases in 2010 was 73,115 and in 2009 it was 41,578.

This year a total of 25,713 cases were recorded by March while the government has realised a fine to the tune of Rs 755 crore from illegal miners besides seizing 2,20,085 vehicles used in them.

The commission in its report also suggested that mining leases be granted through public auction to reduce corruption.

After holding several hearings and inspections in the state, the commission has observed that natural resources, mostly iron ore, have made a few persons holding leasehold mining interests for decades as billionaires.

The union mines ministry has said the issue of public auction of leases has been included in the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Bill, 2011 which has been referred to a parliamentary panel.