Goa PAC wants CBI to conduct enquiry in illegal mining cases

The Public Accounts Committee of Goa assembly has recommended an enquiry by Central Bureau of Investigation or the lokayukta against all those indicted by it in the illegal mining cases.

While the PAC report has not officially been made public, PAC Chairman Manohar Parrikar said on Tuesday that 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 the criminal.

The report, which was finalised on Tuesday, was opposed by the PAC members from the ruling Congress who refused to sign the document.

Parrikar said that the Congress leaders were baffled even before the report was prepared and the act of Congress legislators to walk out without signing the document is enough indication of their fear.

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 these illegalities by looking the other way," he stated adding he would table the report on the floor of the house either on Wednesday or October 7.