Team Herald
Panjim: Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar on Tuesday promised that he would recover the massive revenue loss estimated by the Justice M B Shah Commission in its third report on illegal mining, within six months. He also said that former minister Joaquim Alemao, influential mine owner Praful Hede and S Kantilal and company will be investigated by Goa Police’s special investigation team for illegal mining.
“I promise to recover this money somehow. Within six months, the recovery amount will be in the State treasury,” Parrikar told the house today. He said that government has already appointed 17 chartered accountants to audit transactions of mining leases and some traders, report of which will be ready within two to three months.
He also expressed confidence that report details will reveal who were involved in the illegalities.
Parrikar, who also holds Mines portfolio, announced that he would start mining leases by October this year, while before that by September 15, the mining policy would be notified. The ongoing session would discuss the draft mining policy guidelines on August 18.
“On August 18 morning, I will circulate policy guidelines papers among the legislators so that they can study before discussion. After giving their opinion, a final draft will be ready and the exercise will begin by August-end. The exercise to form the policy would be over by October. Only after that we will be able to give the mining leases,” he explained.
Quoting the Supreme Court decision, he said the ban on the mining can be lifted only after State government decides the policy on the leases.
Ruling out auctioning the leases, he claimed that it might lead to a rise in mafias.
“There are two things, government will not take over mines and there will not be public auctioning. The reason is that if public auctioning is done, there is no guarantee that mafia kings will not plunge in it,” he suggested. He stressed that government will not take over mining leases as it will result in inefficiency and corruption.
He also mentioned that preference of mining leases will be given to those who have already deposited money for renewal and conversion of land.
He also said that former minister Joaquim Alemao, politically influential mine owner Praful Hede and S Kantilal and company will be investigated by Goa Police’s special investigation team for illegal mining.
Responding to cut motion moved by legislators on demands for grants on mining, Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar said the State has already filed a complaint with the SIT in this regard. He also announced that an officer from vigilance department will be posted in the directorate of mining to help them in the investigation, within the next eight days.
