Former CMs Rane and Kamat say they’re open to scrutiny
TEAM HERALD
PANJIM: Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar said that there was no need to worry if one had done nothing illegal, while referring to the Enforcement Directorate filing a case in illegal mining, even as two former Congress Chief Ministers – Pratapsing Rane and Digambar Kamat – have maintained they were open to any inquiry.
However, the mining industry was more circumspect, saying that they were not aware of the details of the case and so would not like to comment.
The case was registered by Directorate of Enforcement under the Prevention of Money Laundering (PML) Act, 2002, in connection with the illegal mining scam. The directorate has registered an enforcement investigation report (ECIR) against government officials, mining companies and entities identified and mentioned in the report of Central Empowered Committee (CEC) appointed by the Supreme Court, Justice M B Shah Commission report and PAC report.
“The case has been registered under money laundering act. Those who have done money laundering let them be scared or worried. Others need not be worried,” Parrikar told media persons on Wednesday afternoon.
Both Rane and Kamat said that they were open to any inquiry by any agency.
Rane, who was Chief Minister from 2005 to 07, rubbished all the allegations levied against him by the Commission.
“I acted as per the directives of my secretaries and officials …I followed their advice …those decisions were not my own,” he said.
“I am open to any inquiry. I have nothing more to say,” former Chief Minister and Mines Minister Kamat said. Kamat was State Mines Minister from the year 2000 to 2012 and Chief Minister from 2007-12. He told media adding that he had already said all that was to be said.
The Shah Commission had come down hard on the alleged connivance of chief ministers during certain periods accusing top politicians and officials of allegedly allowing and shielding illegal mining.
