Arvind Lolayekar suspended for protecting illegal mining
PTI, PANAJI | 02 April 2012 21:47 IST
Goa government today suspended Director of Mines, Arvind Lolienkar, from services for his alleged involvement in the illegal mining scam, pending enquiry.
The suspension order was issued this evening.
The government has also cancelled the extension granted to Senior Geologist Hector Fernandes. Prasanna Acharya, holding additional charge as south district collector has been appointed in place of Lolienkar.
Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar said that Lolienkar was found involved in illegalities during the primary enquiry conducted against him, leading to his suspension.
Parrikar, who also holds mines portfolio, said that the Director had no control over the department or perhaps, he was purposely not exercising control so as to allow illegalities.
The chief minister said that there were many complaints of serious nature against the director.
The state government has decided to enquire in-depth in the illegalities by either having a committee or through an independent officer.
"My job is to initiate the enquiry. Let the enquiry decide whether he is really guilty or not," Parrikar said.
Meanwhile, Parrikar-led government today held an important meeting along with the mining companies officials to work out ways for eradicating illegal mining in the state.
Accordingly, the newly appointed Director of Mines Prasanna Acharya has been asked to issue show cause notices to all the 410 traders operating in the mining sector.
Government is likely to come out with a policy that would allow only those traders who have a tie-up with the mining companies to export ore from the state.
Welcoming the move, the industry players said this order would automatically weed out fly-by-night traders.
The assets of Arvind Lolienkar must also be investigated.The mining Mafia has no doubt, tempted him with bribes, to turn a blind eye and fabricate accounts and licences.Digamber Kamat has pleaded his innocence to the Mining scams and the going-ons in the Mining Dept.Having had his children married to into Mining families, it would seem he is pulling wool over our eyes.Mr Kamat must at some stage, be indicted for Mining criminality,being the Mines Minister.He is well known to give lame excuses.
V. M. Prabhudessai, the good-for-nothing, the sports-page-picture-hero should be the next, followed by Moddasir, the Kangress Dork.
Just a scapegoat!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Poor guy deserves it all the same. Govt will prove a point when it gets the big fish.. till then it will just be an eyewash. so Goans beware, don't let the pressure die down. Go get the Kamats, Ranes, Sardessai, Alemao's, Fernandes' etc etc.
Well done Mr Parrikar.All Goans salute this decision of yours.Wealth which should belong to all Goans and used for their development , has been looted and salted away by just a few families.The wealth of these families and "fly by night illegal merchants", is as big as the holes they have left, in the excavated ground. While on this topic, Goans must expect ,that many Miners, ex-MLA`s & their henchmen will now suffer from High Blood Pressure, Chest pains and other disabling ailments.Joaquim Alemao, on losing his seat,immediately claimed he suffered from Heart Complaints.In reality he was on Holiday in Dubai with his family, at the Sea Shell Hotel,while his brother Churchill Alemao was gambling his looted wealth with his family in Singapore.
@-jaret de silva what do u have to say about Hector ssaib huh??