Panaji, Sept 27: BJP today sought Goa Chief Minister Digambar Kamat's resignation for allegedly patronising illegal iron ore trade in the state.
BJP national secretary and Goa desk in-charge Aarti Mehra said that from the 66 mines operating in Sattari and Sanguem talukas of Goa alone, 10.5 million metric tonnes of ore to the tune of Rs 6,100 crore, was illegally extracted in the past three years.
“Goa has issued 90 mining leases to companies to extract iron ore for business purpose to enhance the state exchequer. However, government records over the last five-years indicate that Goa has been witnessing a large-scale illegal mining,” she said.
“Either the mining companies have not got environmental clearances from the Wildlife and Forest Authorities, or have extracted ore beyond the permissible limits of extraction,” the BJP office-bearer added.
“The government records show that from the 66 mining leases in Sanguem and Sattari talukas, 10.5 million tonnes was extracted illegally in the past three years,” Mehra said.
Demanding a CBI inquiry into the alleged illegal trade, Mehra said that the role of chief minister Digambar Kamat in the entire scam should be probed. “We also demand his resignation from the post,” she added.
“It is important for the CBI to investigate the nexus between the chief minister and the mining companies that have severely flouted the rules of legitimate mining business and transgressed into illegal mining,” she said.
Quoting the figures submitted to the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) by the state Mines and Geology Department, Mehra said that considering Rs 4,000 as the per metric tonne value of the iron ore, the extraction in Sattari and Sanguem alone stands at Rs 6,100 crore.
She pointed out that due to a rising demand for low grade iron-ore from China over the past five years, illegal mining in the state has thrived “under the patronage of the chief minister Digambar Kamat.”
“It is clearly evident that illegal mining in the state has prospered on account of his reign in that ministry,” BJP leader added.
“While the Supreme Court appointed the Shah Commission to investigate into the illegal mining in Goa, it is important for the Centre to conduct a CBI Inquiry into the same,” Mehra said. PTI
