Goa Chief Minister Digamber Kamat on Friday assured to ban illegal mines in the state after the Opposition continued their onslaught against state government’s alleged protection to unauthorised mining. Kamat said that the government would not entertain any illegal mines in Goa and hold respective state government department heads responsible, if they shield the illegalities.
Leader of Opposition Manohar Parrikar unleashing a volley of allegations against the state government backed by data castigated the Chief Minister for ignoring the illegal mining and said that almost 18 percent of ore exported was through illegal extraction. Parrikar pointed out to the tabulated data tabled on the floor which clearly specified difference between the ore extracted and exported from the state.
“Why is the government not acting against the illegal mining?” the former Chief Minister questioned. The Leader of Opposition alleged that the state government was hand in gloves with these offenders who disrespect state’s fragile ecology.
Analysing the data, Parrikar said that revenue to the tune of Rs 700 crore was pumped in the state through illegal mining. Parrikar contended that the high level committee constituted to investigate illegal mining has no teeth to act. “They are just referring violations to concern ministries,” he said.
Courtesy: Zee News
