Khandeparkar receives official intimation to head mining panel

TEAM HERALD

teamherald@herald-goa.com

PANJIM: After initial delay, Justice (Retd) R M S Khandeparkar has been finally ‘officially’ informed by State government about his appointment as head of the Independent High Level Investigation Committee, though he is not sure as to when the inquiry will actually begin.

The committee’s mandate is to ‘verify’ irregularities and illegalities enlisted by Justice M B Shah Commission in its exhaustive report on illegal mining. 

Khandeparkar told HERALD that last month; an official communication was sent by government informing him about his appointment to head the high level committee. 

“However, I am not sure as to when I will begin my inquiry or study as government is busy handling the mining issue, pending in Supreme Court,” he said. 

Retd Justice Khandeparkar said that “government is working on logistical arrangements, which I guess might take time”. 

The government, which had announced constitution of six-member high level committee on October3, 2012, had issued official notification only in November, last month. Despite the official announcement, Khandeparkar was not informed by government till the first week of December, 2012 about the appointment.  

The six-member committee has been given a year to submit its report. 

When asked whether he has gone through Justice Shah Commission report, Khandeparkar, indicating that he has not read the report as yet, said “if I am heading a committee, than I cannot go ahead with a biased mind”. “Whatever I have to say, I will say through my report,” he added. 

According to the notification, the committee’s mandate is to suggest measures for effective control, supervision and regulation of mining industry. It will also investigate the loss to the state exchequer due to evasion of royalty, cess collection and encroachments pointed out in the Shah Commission report.

One of the major tasks before the committee is to identify offences and illegalities committed by public servants. The high powered committee will also suggest remedial measures to coordinate between various agencies.