Panaji, Sep 29: A senior Congress functionary, who is in Goa on instructions of the party president in the backdrop of allegations of illegal mining, today ruled out the possibility of any change in leadership till the Shah Commission completes its probe into the illegalities.
Jagmeet Singh Brar, Congress Desk Incharge for Goa, told reporters here that there is no question of any change in the guard as Shah Commission is still inquiring into the reported illegal mining in the coastal state.
Brar, along with All India Congress Committee (AICC) Secretary Sudhakar Reddy, is in Goa on the directions of the party president Sonia Gandhi vis-à-vis allegations of illegal mining in the state.
Brar, who met almost all the party legislators, said that any action against Chief Minister Digambar Kamat would be taken only after studying the Shah Commission report.
“Justice Shah Commission is seriously investigating into the illegal mining. Whenever they conclude the inquiry and submit the report, the legal luminaries will study and take a needful action,” Brar said.
He said there was no dissidence against Kamat in the state. “I have met all the MLAs. They have said that nothing should be done in a manner which is invalid according to the Constitution,” he quipped.
Kamat has been accused of shielding a multi-crore illegal mining scam during his tenure of 12 years as Mines Minister.
“The chief minister (Kamat) has answered certain questions in the press. Without proper inquiry report there will be no action against him,” Brar said responding to a question.
Brar also said that the party is not baffled by media reports on the issue. “The subject of concern is plundering of resources of the nation. Ultimately, a more sensible approach is needed,” he said, adding the party can not take cognisance of what is appearing in the media.
Shah Commission is inquiring into the illegal mining trade in the state, which is estimated to be between Rs 1,200 crore to Rs 10,000 crore.
The panel is expected to submit its report by the next month.
The eight teams under the Commission have already completed inspection of 90 mines, while many sites where illegal mining activity is believed to be taking place are also under the scanner. PTI
