There are no two opinions on early commencement of mining operations in Goa within the framework laid down by the Supreme Court. The central government had suspended the ECs and hence it was imperative for the government to revoke the suspension to pave the way to resume the mining activity. It was not expected of the chief minister of the state, who earlier held the panchayat portfolio to make election capital of mining activity by the wholesale violation of the Code of Conduct .
It once again demonstrates that the BJP will go to any extremes to grab political power and justify violating the norms of conscience and ethics. They came to power in the state riding on the wave of rampant illegal mining and recovery of illegal wealth. Now, they want to retain power and extend their base on being the heroes of mining.
The decision to revoke the suspension of mining environmental clearances just on the eve of Goa going in for the Zilla Panchayat polls is a clear instance of the poll code violation, What is more blatant is the communication of such a decision of the MoEF by the CM along with his team of legislators from mining dominated constituencies
The SEC should have taken immediate steps to set the proposed action in motion for the code violation. The CM or for that matter any contesting candidate is free to make promises. Here, is communication of an official policy decision which tilts the balance of convenience in favour of the coalition with the BJP in the driver’s seat.
The SEC ought to have considered the following tests:
(a) What and whose public interest would be affected if the announcement was made just a day later i.e. after conclusion of the voting?.
(b) Whose private, economic and political interests would be promoted due to the announcement just on the nick of polling of votes?
(c) What was the urgency in making the policy announcement by the chief minister with three BJP legislators from mining areas sharing the press briefing?
(d) Does such policy announcements by the ruling party through the head of state the executive vitiate the process of free and fair elections in specific constituencies?
The SEC should have called for an immediate explanation from the chief secretary the CM and the governorTo bolster the confidence of the people in the independence, fearlessness and fairness of the SEC an immediate re-examination should have been done for either cancellation/ postponement of conduct of elections as per the schedule in the ZP constituencies falling exclusively in the mining belt after providing an opportunity to the contesting candidates to put forth their points of view. The SEC should have at least give the contestants a hearing , thus sending the signal it would not stay a blind and helpless spectator. The SEC’s silence strengthens the self-belief that the BJP has done nothing wrong.
