Says, whoever supported it should be punished
TEAM HERALD
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PANJIM: In a rather unexpected development, Congress Member of Parliament (MP) Francisco Sardinha blamed the Congress-led UPA government for illegal mining in Goa, leading many to question whether this was an implosion as a result of mining.
He also blamed the State government for the mess and demanded that all those involved, irrespective of what position they are holding, be punished for allowing and shielding illegal mining.
“Both the authorities… both state and central, who were involved… who closed their eyes and allowed illegal mining….they should be punished… Not only State but also Centre,” Sardinha said.
Justice M B Shah Commission in its report on illegal mining in Goa has pointed out to illegalities and irregularities by the Ministry of Environment and Forest (MoEF), Union Mines Ministry as well as the state government for allowing and failing to act against mushrooming illegal mining in Goa between 2006 and 2011.
Without targeting at anyone in particular, Sardinha said, “The mess in the mining sector is only because of a few people.” Quoting Mahatma Gandhi on greed, he added, “Whoever is directly responsible for allowing illegalities in the mining sector, should be punished”.
He was responding to the question on whether former Mines Minister (Digambar Kamat) who is been held responsible Shah Commission should be punished. “We elected members are punished by people every five years, if found to be involved in wrong doings,” Sardinha said later, admitting that the mess created in the mining sector was one of the reasons for Congress’ defeat in the March 2012 polls.
The Congress leader said that people are been made to suffer for no fault of theirs. Mine owners have made enough money for their survival, he said. “They have worked hard and made money. As far as it’s legal we have no problem. It’s their legal money,” he stated.
A combative Sardinha also castigated the state government, saying ‘its’ been a year now but government has failed to address the issue (of mining). By now they should have acted’. He also showed displeasure over the way the government claimed that the scam is only Rs 3,000 to Rs 4,000 crore and not Rs 35,000 crore as reported by the Shah Commission.
Sardinha wanted the State government to appoint a good counsel to argue the matter of legal mining in the Supreme Court, saying that the state cannot survive without legal mining. He said that Members of Parliament need to put in efforts to convince the Centre to immediately resume legal mining.
The Congress leader along with mining stakeholders such as truck owners, barge owners and others dependent on the activity would next week petition Central authorities to start legal mining at the earliest.
They are set to meet Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, MoEF Minister Jayanti Natrajan, Congress president Sonia Gandhi and others.
