TEAM HERALD
PANJIM: State government on Tuesday threatened to go for criminal investigation against those mining firms failing to cooperate with its chartered accountants’ panel probing financial transactions to ascertain the actual loss caused to State exchequer due to illegal mining. The report of the CAs would help government to ascertain the exact quantum of loss from the respective mining companies.
Speaking to media persons on Tuesday, Chief Minister said that total 17 CAs have been appointed to undertake a comprehensive audit of mining firms’ financial transactions, which would help the government in identifying the exact loss caused by each company. However, there are several problems cropping up and till date they (CAs) are unable to quantify the loss and quote any figures, he said.
“Some mining companies are not cooperating. Not producing the data and documents required. I have issued directions to the Secretary Mines to take action. A final warning would be issued failing which we will have to register a complaint against these,” Parrikar said adding that state might initiate criminal investigation against them as to know why they were hiding the details.
“If companies don’t cooperate after Directorate of Mines and Geology (DMG) issued directions to them, that means obviously they have something to hide, so I will have to go for criminal investigation against those companies,” Parrikar said adding “as of now I am doing civic audit of the companies.”
