BJP demands CBI probe into Goa mining
PTI, PANAJI | 17 October 2011 11:44 IST
The Goa unit of BJP has began a campaign against Chief Minister Digambar Kamat accusing him of patronising illegal mining in the state.
A delegation of BJP leaders led by Leader of Opposition Manohar Parrikar met CBI officials and also Central Pollution Control Board in Delhi last week demanding inquiry into the illegal mining scam.
Parrikar, who chaired the Public Accounts Committee ( PAC) which exposed the Rs 4,000 crore illegal mining industry, however, did not name anyone in the illegal mining trade in his communication to the CBI.
The letter, the copy of which is available with PTI, mentions that illegal mining in Sattari and Sanguem talukas itself amounts to Rs 6,100 crore as 15.2 million tons of ore was extracted from these iron ore rich regions during the last five years.
The BJP had called the action against illegal mining by the state government authorities as a "mere eyewash".
However, Goa BJP chief Laxmikant Parsekar dodged queries as to why no politician was named in front of the CBI.
"The party will be preparing a detailed document on illegal mining in which all the facts and people involved would be named," he said.
Parsekar, displaying the handouts blaming Digambar Kamat for illegal mining, said the party has launched a massive campaign against corruption in the state.
