Punish ministers responsible for illegal mining: Sardinha
GOANEWS DESK, PANAJI | 04 May 2013 15:26 IST
Congress MP Francisco Sardinha wants even the central and state ministers to be punished for illegal mining in Goa, if they had permitted the illegality ‘on paper’.
Addressing a press conference at Congress House today morning, Sardinha took a position that both the state as well as the central government should be punished for illegal mining.
“Why only Goa should suffer when the centre also has a major role to play in it”, he asked.
When asked whether his demand of punishment also includes the politicians, who were heading crucial ministerial positions like mines etc, Sardinha initially took a guarded position.
“The politician is punished once in a five years by the voter if he has done something wrong or illegal”, he argued.
However, when media asked him whether politician should be left scot free only by defeating him in the election for his illegality in mining, Sardinha said such politicians should definitely be punished even through legal course.
“But then it should be proved that he actually signed the file and allowed the illegality”, he said.
The Congress leader also made it clear that he would definitely not mind if the politician is punished if he has signed such papers to allow illegal mining.
Sardinha said, following the affidavit, the state government should find a good counsel to argue the case of resumption of mining in Goa before the Supreme Court.
He also informed the media that the stakeholders, including truck and barge operators, workers or traders depending on mining, would be taken to New Delhi once again to meet the Prime Minister, Finance Minister and even UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi.
“I have sought their appointments”, he said.
However, the stakeholders neither include the mine owner nor they have approached him, he clarified.
All those involved in illegal mining howsoever mighty they may be, should be punished.