Justice Shah: Goa failed to give adequate info on time

SHWETA KAMAT

shweta@herald-goa.com

PANJIM: Justice MB Shah of the Commission of Enquiry on illegal mining in Goa, who blamed State government for its failure and even reluctance, to provide adequate information on time, said that the Commission’s report would not be ready within three months, as the time taken to receive inaccurate and correct figures would further delay the third report.

The third report of the Commission would concentrate on export of ore, the discrepancies in figures, permissions and actual, which experts feel is a bid to follow the money trail of mine leases owners and exporters in a bid to pinpoint the exact amounts. It will also try to find out a more accurate estimate of the loss to the State exchequer from illegal export of iron ore in the past five years ~ from 2006 to 2011. The earlier report had approximated the figures at around Rs 35,000 crore.

“Three months won’t be enough to submit the report. Government is not ready to provide details. Several reminders have been sent. What we have received so far are not accurate and correct figures,” he claimed.

Justice Shah said that the third report will also focus on illegal export of iron ore and transfer of leases. “The export and production figures would be matched. We will also look into the loss to State exchequer through illegal export,” he said.

The third report will include the findings of investigation of bank accounts of those reportedly found to be involved in the scam. Names of politicians including former Chief Minister Digambar Kamat, mines officials and mine owners have already figured in the Shah Commission report, submitted last year.

With this it looks like that the inquiry would be similar to that held in Karnataka, where the Shah Commission had screened four lakh bank accounts.

The Commission, in its first report had recommended ban on export of iron and manganese ore to conserve minerals for posterity. It had also said that till government puts up a system in place, the ban on export should continue, which will help in controlling illegal mining.

The Government of India has instituted the Shah Commission of Inquiry for Illegal Mining of Iron Ore and Manganese in November, 2010. Mining operations in Goa is currently suspended by the Supreme Court following Commission report.