Team Herald
PORVORIM: Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant on Thursday assured the State Legislative Assembly that the government will recover the Rs 35,000-odd crore from the guilty mining operators and lease holders amidst allegations of a deliberate delay in recovering the revenue lost in the mega scam.
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The CM was replying to Goa Forward Party MLA Vijai Sardesai who tabled a volley of questions in the Starred Questions category regarding the nine-year-old mining scam.
“Crime Branch’s Special Investigation Team has filed charge-sheet before the Court against all those mine owners and officials (including former officials) of the Directorate of Mines and Geology officials as indicted by Shah Commission report. We will do the actual recovery,” the CM replied.
No satisfied with the answer, Sardesai insisted that the government reply on the floor of the House on the failure to recovery a single penny during these years. He stated that BJP’s assurance to book the culprits indicted in the Shah report, got the party a clear mandate in 2012. However, after lodging complaints in 2013, the government had shockingly moved the High Court of Bombay at Goa, seeking a stay on the trial.
The GFP leader – a former deputy CM – called it “match-fixing,” an allegation denied by the CM.
“On August 12, 2013, the (former) Director of Mines filed with Crime Branch complaint against officials and mine owners indicted in the Shah Commission report. I am aware through reliable sources that the government has asked to stay the trial in Crime No. 15/2013. The High Court had also granted the stay. It is a clear case of match-fixing,” Sardesai alleged.
CM Sawant, who also holds the Mines portfolio, refuted the allegations stating that the government had filed an affidavit before the High Court to transfer the cases to the Special Court, a move which was followed by staying of the proceedings.
Sardesai also pointed out to complaints filed with the police despite Section 22 of the MMDR Act clearly mentioning that the competent authority on behalf of the State has to file the complaint before Magistrate.
“Is the main complaint filed as per procedure? The complaint was filed before the Police instead of Magistrate. Now, police’s charge-sheet is before the Magistrate who says the procedure is wrong,” Sardesai added as he further alleged anomalies in the manner in which the government is proceeding with the matter.
The Fatorda MLA demanded that the CM give an accurate deadline while further making an allegation that mining companies were running the department. “It looks that efforts to recover the money from mine owners, lease holders have not failed but intentionally made to fail. It is clear that mining companies are running the department. Therefore, it is necessary to start a mining corporation,” he said.
CM Sawant, yet again refuted allegation, stating, “Our intention is clear. We have nothing to hide.”
He said that the Directorate of Mines and Geology has issued notices to the mine owners for the recovery. “Government has submitted an affidavit before the High Court assuring to recover the amount mentioned in the Shah Commission report,” Sawant said.
Earlier during the discussion, Sardesai pointed out that NGO Goa Foundation had filed a petition before the High Court pleading that the State government recover Rs 1,580 crore which were identified by the team of Chartered Accounts and demand notices for the same were sent to the mine owners. He also took the opportunity to charge the SIT with “sitting” on the matter. “What investigation is being done? There’s an intentional delay. Government is betraying the trust of the owners, who are the people,” he alleged.
The ex-Deputy CM alleged that the Sawant-led government is incompetent to run the resources of the State.
