Illegal mining: Pressure mounts on Goa CM to quit

Pressure is mounting on Chief Minister Digamber Kamat to resign after the Public Accounts Committee of Goa Assembly has recommended an enquiry by CBI or the lokayukta against all those indicted by it in the illegal mining cases.

PAC chairman Manohar Parrikar may submit the report to the Speaker on Wednesday despite the committee members from the ruling Congress having refused to sign the document.

The report has spelt out the 'crime scene on the illegal mining front' and it would be for the investigating authorities to find out who is criminal.

The chairman estimated that 18 to 20 million tonnes of ore out of 54 million tonnes that was exported last year was extracted illegally and exported without paying royalty.

"This amounts to losses to the tune of Rs 200 crore," he said adding that all the figures pointed out in the report are taken from the government documents.

Parrikar said that there is huge quantity of ore the origin of which cannot be established adding illegalities to the tune of Rs 4,000 crore are established in the report.

Parrikar also alleged that Chief Minister's inaction over the entire issue was 'well planned'.

"This gentleman has allowed to do these illegalities by looking the other way," he added.