Panaji: BJP on Tuesday sought Goa Chief Minister
Digambar Kamat's resignation for allegedly patronising illegal
iron ore trade in the state.
BJP national secretary and Goa desk in-charge Aarti Mehra
said that from the 66 mines operating in Sattari and Sanguem
talukas of Goa alone, 10.5 million metric tonnes of ore to the
tune of Rs 6,100 crore, was illegally extracted in the past
three years.
"Goa has issued 90 mining leases to companies to extract
iron ore for business purpose to enhance the state exchequer.
However, government records over the last five-years indicate
that Goa has been witnessing a large-scale illegal mining,"
she said.
"Either the mining companies have not got environmental
clearances from the Wildlife and Forest Authorities, or have
extracted ore beyond the permissible limits of extraction,"
the BJP office-bearer added.
"The government records show that from the 66 mining
leases in Sanguem and Sattari talukas, 10.5 million tonnes was
extracted illegally in the past three years," Mehra said.
Demanding a CBI inquiry into the alleged illegal trade,
Mehra said that the role of chief minister Digambar Kamat in
the entire scam should be probed. "We also demand his
resignation from the post," she added.
"It is important for the CBI to investigate the nexus
between the chief minister and the mining companies that have
severely flouted the rules of legitimate mining business and
transgressed into illegal mining," she said.
Quoting the figures submitted to the Public Accounts
Committee (PAC) by the state Mines and Geology Department,
Mehra said that considering Rs 4,000 as the per metric tonne
value of the iron ore, the extraction in Sattari and Sanguem
alone stands at Rs 6,100 crore.
She pointed out that due to a rising demand for low grade
iron-ore from China over the past five years, illegal mining
in the state has thrived "under the patronage of the chief
minister Digambar Kamat."
"It is clearly evident that illegal mining in the state
has prospered on account of his reign in that ministry," BJP
leader added.
"While the Supreme Court appointed the Shah Commission to
investigate into the illegal mining in Goa, it is important
for the Centre to conduct a CBI Inquiry into the same," Mehra
said.
PTI
First Published: Tuesday, September 27, 2011, 19:23