Panaji: The Goa unit of BJP has began a
campaign against Chief Minister Digambar Kamat accusing him of
patronising illegal mining in the state.
A delegation of BJP leaders led by Leader of Opposition
Manohar Parrikar met CBI officials and also Central Pollution
Control Board in Delhi last week demanding inquiry into the
illegal mining scam.
Parrikar, who chaired the Public Accounts Committee (PAC)
which exposed the Rs 4,000 crore illegal mining industry,
however, did not name anyone in the illegal mining trade in
his communication to the CBI.
The letter mentions that illegal mining in Sattari and Sanguem talukas
itself amounts to Rs 6,100 crore as 15.2 million tons of ore
was extracted from these iron ore rich regions during the last
five years.
The BJP had called the action against illegal mining by
the state government authorities as a "mere eyewash".
However, Goa BJP chief Laxmikant Parsekar dodged queries
as to why no politician was named in front of the CBI.
"The party will be preparing a detailed document on
illegal mining in which all the facts and people involved
would be named," he said.
Parsekar, displaying the handouts blaming Digambar Kamat
for illegal mining, said the party has launched a massive
campaign against corruption in the state.
PTI
First Published: Wednesday, October 19, 2011, 17:41