TEAM HERALD
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PANJIM: The State government, reigning in its earlier combative tone, while replying to the rejoinder affidavit by Goa Foundation in the writ petition before the Supreme Court on illegal mining said that “in principle” it agreed to competitive auction of all leases; and that it did not have any “serious disagreements” with Justice MB Shah Commission of Inquiry and Supreme Court appointed Central Empowered Committee’s report and recommendations. It also vehemently denied that it had ever attacked the CEC or had reservations about its members.
Promising the Apex court that it would severely punish anybody and everybody, “however high he (or any mining company) may be, which is found to have indulged in any kind of irregularity….”
“Appropriate penal action would also be taken against such persons, including mining companies. In appropriate cases, action for cancellation and revocation of the mining leases would also be initiated’ the affidavit by principal secretary Mines RK Verma stated.
“I further state that the State Government has no qualms about either the integrity, standing or reputation of CEC or any of its Members. I state that the CEC comprises persons who have their own standing and have been doing the task assigned to them by the Hon’ble Supreme Court,” the affidavit said, and also admitted, “The state government has also no serious disagreements with the recommendations of Mr Justice Shah Commission interim report as also the CEC’s report and recommendations…”
“It is stated that the Goa Government has now attacked ‘the CEC in its Affidavit in Reply. This amounts to not only distorting the stand of the State Government, but deliberately suggesting falsity and attributing it to the State Government…. I respectfully state that the State Government in its Affidavit has not attacked the CEC in any manner whatsoever,” the affidavit reads.
“I state that the CEC is a body set up by this Hon’ble Court, ‘which has been performing tasks, as required of them. The State Government has not, nor (does it have) the slightest intention, in any way or manner to attack the CEC.”
On the competitive auction of all the mining leases in Goa, “subject to law permitting the same,” the affidavit reply says, “I state that as a matter of principle, the state government is of the opinion that natural resources and any kind of state largesse (unless dictated by matter of dire urgency) must always be by way of auction/tender which can earn the highest revenue for the state.”
The government claims that it has already decided to refer the Shah Commission’s Interim Report, as well as the CEC Report to the High Powered Committee for compliance and necessary action.
“I respectfully state that the State Government and its officers have the highest respect for this Hon’ble Court as well as all Committees and Bodies, including the CEC and its members,” the report again reiterates.
Affidavit by Principal Secy Mines
“… I respectfully state that the attempts on the part of the Petitioner to paint a picture that the State Government has attacked the CEC is completely misplaced, wrong, incorrect and irresponsible…,”
“I further state that the State Government has no qualms about either the integrity, standing or reputation of CEC or any of its Members. I state that the CEC comprises persons who have their own standing and have been doing the task assigned to them by the Hon’ble Supreme Court.”
“I respectfully state that the State Government and its officers have the highest respect for this Hon’ble Court as well as all Committees and Bodies, including the CEC and its members,”
“The state government also has no serious disagreements with the recommendations of Justice Shah Commission interim report as also the CEC’s report and recommendations…”
