Team Herald
PANJIM: Former Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar on Monday submitted his say before the Goa Lokayukta in a complaint related to illegal grant of second renewals to 88 iron ore mining leases, resulting into a loss of Rs 1,44,000 crore to State exchequer.
Due to his daughter’s wedding ceremonies, Parsekar was unable to be present in person before Goa Lokayukta Justice (Retired) P K Misra. He submitted his reply through his lawyer.
Mines Director Prasanna Acharya, who is one of the respondents in the case, was present before the Lokayukta.
Speaking to Herald, Parsekar confirmed his submission before the Lokayukta and said that the decision to grant second renewals was a policy decision of the council of ministers led by Manohar Parrikar and not him.
He said that during Parrikar’s tenure 18 leases were granted second renewal and the process continued when he took over in November 2014 and another 70 leases were renewed. “While quashing the second renewals, though the Supreme Court slammed the government for illegal grant of leases, nowhere it has spoken about corruption or criminal cases to be filed against Chief Minister,” he said.
“Something, which is not accepted by Court, it automatically turns out to be rejected in the court of law. And hence, the petition filed before Lokayukta will not stand,” he said.
The Lokayukta is investigating the complaint filed by NGO Goa Foundation (GF), demanding a probe in the illegal second renewal of 88 leases. In its 300-page complaint, GF has said that former Chief Minister, former Mines Secretary and director Mines were involved in grant of mining leases in violation of Supreme Court judgment and the provisions of Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act (MMDR).
The complaint against the trio is been filed under Section 13(1)(d) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.
