PANJIM: With regards to Supreme Court order quashing the renewals of 88 mining leases in February this year, the Congress has decided to lodge a criminal case against Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar and former Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar with the Vigilance Department and the Goa Police seeking investigation into the massive illegality.
“The then and present Chief Ministers hurriedly renewed 88 mining leases en masse from November 5, 2014 to January 12, 2015. Of these, 31 mining leases were renewed on January 12 to circumvent the policy of the Central government that was on the anvil. The Supreme Court had then struck down the renewals and made pointed observations indicating State has done a fraud. We have therefore decided to move the Vigilance and Police Departments against all those who took the policy decision,” party spokesperson Yatish Naik said at a press conference on Sunday.
He read out observations made by the apex court that the renewal of a mining lease was hasty and illegal; and all mining activity, involving the iron and manganese mines, would come to halt by March 15. The court had also stated that government’s process of renewing the mining permits was in violation of law and directed setting up of a special investigation team (SIT), which would include a chartered accountant, for recovery of money the companies made after the mining permits were renewed.
“The State has done a fraud under both (Parrikar and Parsekar) on the mining industry, mining economy and the Goan economy. The Supreme Court said the renewals were motivated than genuine and as such Congress will not only lodge complaints but also pursue the matter till it reaches its logical conclusion,” Naik said and added that the two agencies will be approached with the complaints within 2-3 days.
The 88 mining leases were renewed by the State government just before the Mines and Minerals (Regulation and Development) Act mandated the auction of mining leases.
