PANJIM: Goa Foundation (GF), whose petition before the Supreme Court for closure of mining industry in Goa following the exposure of multi-crore iron ore mining irregularities in the sector, has raised questions over the State government’s delayed investigation in the matter.
“It took nearly five years for the government to go after former mines minister Digambar Kamat in the illegal mining case, when everything was clear through the Shah Commission report in 2012 itself,” GF director Dr Claude Alvares said.
“No investigation has been completed till date. Be it into the loot or excess production or encroachment or other mining illegalities. Government has taken no action,” he added.
“SIT (special investigating team) is now running after the case, chasing Digambar after five years,” Alvares said.
Kamat is facing investigation in the illegal mining case, at present for condonation of delay. The Justice M B Shah Commission, that inquired into illegal mining in Goa, in its first report in 2012 had referred to the then Mines minister for gross misuse of power in granting condonation of delay to as many as 40 mining leases.
