24 cases of illegal mining detected: CM
PTI, PANAJI | 23 July 2012 13:45 IST
A week after denying that there is illegal mining in Goa, Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar today said that two dozen such cases were detected during last five years in the state.
Parrikar in a written reply tabled on the floor of the House said that since 2004, total 24 cases of illegal mining activities have been detected.
As per the reply, in few cases, the government has not been able to find out the culprit and even the land owner, where the mining was happening.
The illegal mining cases have been reported from iron ore rich Sanguem, Pernem, Ponda, Sattari, Quepem and Bicholim taluka while one case was registered in Tiswadi taluka, lesser known for mining activities.
The replies tabled on the floor of the House indicates the delay on the part of government authorities as in several cases details were sought about the person owning the land from district administration, two years back, but still the department was yet to the response.
In the reply further, Parrikar had said that no cases of persons involved in trading and transporting illegal iron ore has come to the notice of the government.
"However, investigation is in progress to find out illegalities during past," he added.
The Chief Minister had drawn flak in the past from the environmental activist for claiming that there is no illegal mining in the state.
Defending his statement on the floor of the House, Parrikar had claimed that there is no illegal mining but there are cases of illegal extraction.
Mr Parrikar (CM)...do not trouble or accuse the well known "Raising Contractor" of Sanguem Mines,Joaquim Alemao.He will "sue" you and every Goan for "DEFAMATION".We are all afraid and scared of this !!
His office in Cuncolim has now been closed.So all correspondence must go to his home address.Make sure,everything you send to Joaquim Alemao is Sida Sadha and not Altu -Faltu.!!!!!