Goa: Uncertainty over Fate of PAC report on illegal mining

Mtoday news / PTI

Panaji, Oct 5 : Uncertainty hangs over the fate of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) report on illegal mining in Goa, submitted by committee chairman Manohar Parrikar today, as the Legislative Assembly Speaker was yet to place it before the house.

The report examines the Rs 4,000 crore illegal mining scam, which involves evasion of royalty and illegal extraction of ore. Parrikar said he had submitted the report to Speaker Pratapsingh Rane, but did not know when it would be tabled. "He (Speaker) has to table it on October 7, the last day of session," he said.

 

 

Members of ruling party, who were in PAC, had refused to sign it yesterday. Congress legislator Agnelo Fernandes even walked away with a draft copy. The report, it is learnt from high-level sources, does not name Chief Minister Digambar Kamat directly, but says there is evidence of a mine owners-politician-police nexus.

Facing heat over the illegal mining issue, Kamat, in his speech, did not refer to the report, but stated his stand on illegal mining. "Ultimately the truth will prevail," he said, claiming that the records of Mines and Geology department were straight.

Speaker Pratapsingh Rane told reporters that he had not taken any decision on the PAC report. "I will have to examine it," he said, adding that the fact that majority of PAC members refused to sign the report "can go against it".

The report, which followed investigation over last three years, is based on the findings of the Comptroller Auditor General (CAG) report, which had pointed out that iron ore was being exported from the state ports without payment of the royalty to government.

The PAC report, it is learnt, points out several illegalities committed by Directorate of Mines and Geology, and Forest Department officials. The role of the officials of Union Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) in giving environment clearances without checking the facts on the ground has also come under the scanner, sources said.

It was expected that after Congress questioned the report, there would be a war of words between the ruling and opposition benches. Parrikar, who headed PAC, is leader of opposition in Assembly, and BJP leader.

But during the proceedings today, there was no reference to the report. Tomorrow being a holiday, the house will meet again on October 7, the last day of current short session, when the issue of PAC report may come up.

Kamat, who holds the mining portfolio, said not only the state government but some central agencies too regulated and monitored the mining sector.
Port authorities should be held responsible, as it was their job to ensure that illegal commodity was not exported from the port, he said.