TEAM HERALD
PANJIM: The Justice R M S Khandeparkar committee’s delay in submitting report on illegal mining has been severely criticized by the Congress party demanding the probe be completed urgently.
“It is very unfortunate that a report is still not filed. The government and the Justice appointed to probe into the recommendations of Justice M B Shah Commission on illegal mining should be sensitive,” MP Francisco Sardinha told a press conference today.
Citing that closure of mining activity has resulted in massive unemployment and economic loss to the State, he said every attempt should be made to resume legal mining.
“The functioning of any committee, either at the centre or state, should be time bound. Let them work day and night because there is urgency in the matter,” Sardinha, also the working president, Goa Pradesh Congress Committee, further said.
He went on to add the committee should submit its first report as early as possible because it concerns with the daily bread of the people. “Give the first report and if there is more to be probed then you (the committee) can continue with it…” he said.
The MP reiterated that the State government should impress upon the committee to complete the probe soon, to convince the Supreme Court to allow resumption of legal mines.
“Those firms carrying out legal mining are suffering due to all this. One year is more than enough. (referring to mining ban since September 2012),” he commented.
The Manohar Parrikar led government had notified Khandeparkar Committee to further investigate into the findings of Justice M B Shah Commission, which had pegged illegal mining in the State to the tune of more than Rs 35,000 crores.
In May this year, the committee decided to probe further the illicit tapping of iron ore in Goa, which will help the government arrest illegalities and prepare a roadmap for future of mining industry in the State.
