TEAM HERALD
teamherald@herald-goa.com
PANJIM: The file asking for an investigation into illegal mining in Goa has reached the government, enroute to the Lokayukta, officials confirmed Friday.
After the chief secretary clears it, the file, that does not name anyone, but asks for civil recovery of losses, will go to the Lokayukta, completing the first step in the process that should logically culminate in recoveries of the losses suffered by the State.
The Shah Commission had estimated the losses at Rs 35,000 crore, while the chief minister claims the losses are around Rs 5,000 crore, while the BJP in its election campaign had put it down to Rs 25,000 crore.
The Director of Mines and Geology department has forwarded the file to the State government to refer the matter to Lokayukta for recovery of losses and investigate other civil issues. The covering letter carries with it the complaint copy ~ the same as one as submitted to the Crime Branch, sources say, but it does not name any politician or official.
However, the complaint based on the Justice (retd) MB Shah Commission of Inquiry into illegal mining in the State, the PAC report authored by then leader of opposition
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Manohar Parrikar and the CEC, has asked for an investigation based on those very reports. Civil liabilities of illegal mining include loss to the State exchequer, loss to the environment, loss due to encroachment outside mining leases, etc.
The Shah commission had pointed out to various illegalities involved in mining in the State and had recommended various steps to avoid these. Politicians, department officials, officials of Indian Bureau of Mines (IBM) and Ministry of Environment and Forest (MoEF) had been named in the report. Many officials had been named in the report as shielding various illegalities in the mining sector. Initially, the BJP government had closed down mining activity, followed by the Union government, which withdrew NOCs and finally the Apex Court had halted all mining activity in the State following a PIL.
The Lokayukta file has been moved to Chief Secretary for his consent even though it has been cleared by the chief minister who is also the mines minister.
Meanwhile, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed State government to file a detailed affidavit on illegal mining based on Justice MB Shah Commission report by August 7. It is currently hearing a petition filed by green NGO ~ Goa Paryavaran Savrakshan Sangharsh Samitee Vs M.S.H.L Nathurmal & Ors based on Justice Shah Commission report.
