Panaji: Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar has assured of "appropriate" action against a senior bureaucrat for his alleged complicity in the illegal mining scam.
Parrikar said that the state government has initiated inquiry against the Director of Mines and Geology, Arvind Lolienkar, for allegedly abetting illegal mining activity in the coastal state.
"Proper action would be taken against him (Lolienkar) once the inquiry is over, which might take 4-5 days," Parrikar told reporters last evening. The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) report drafted by Parrikar, who was then leader of opposition in Legislative Assembly, had accused the state mines and geology department of complicity in the multi-crore scam.
"How can I ignore role of the department and its officials in the illegal mining scam. I have myself investigated and prepared PAC report which indicts them," the chief minister said, adding that he is currently soft-paddling the issue to avoid public perception that he is targetting Lolienkar. "I am taking time to act because people should not feel that I am having personal vengeance against Lolienkar or department," he added.
The illegal mining industry in Goa is estimated to be between Rs 1,200 crore to Rs 10,000 crore.
Besides PAC, Justice M B Shah Commission is also investigating the illegal activities that involve unauthorised extraction and exports of iron ore from the state`s rural areas.
PTI