Ruling group blocks report, PAC demands CBI probe into illegal mining
PTI, PANAJI | 04 October 2011 20:32 IST
The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Goa Assembly has recommended an enquiry by CBI 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 today 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 criminal.
The report, which was finalised and had to adopted formally today, was opposed by the PAC members from the ruling Congress.
Those who refused to sign the documen included Agnelo Fernandes, Victoria Fernandes and Francis Silveira of the Congress and Dipak Dhawalikar of the MGP.
Only three BJP legislators - Damu Naik, Francis D'Souza and Parrikar himself voted in its favour.
Parrikar now wants speaker Pratapsing Rane to decide whether the report should be tabled or not in the Assembly session beginning from tomorrow.
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 loyalty.
"This amounts to losses to the tune of Rs200 crore," he said adding that all the figures pointed out in the report are embedded from the government documents.
Parrikar said that there is huge amount of ore the origin of which cannot be established adding illegalities to the tune of Rs4,000 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 stated adding he would table the report on the floor of the House either tomorrow or October 7.
We all should have great respect for the Constitutional Bodies like the JPC and the PAC, But the history tells us that when it comes to issues concerning matters involving ruling party people--these agencies have been unable to effectively nail those who are responsible for acts of omissions and commissions, for the simple reason that the ruling parties are in majority in these bodies and try to avoid becoming any part of any reports or findings which could ultimately lead to pointing fingers at the ruling party supporters or members.or politicians....That is the reason why the independent agency of Janlokpal as envisaged by Anna becomes relevant....