Culprits in mining cases to be prosecuted by June: Parrikar

Says government will revamp the mining department by May

Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar today said the prosecution of those involved in cases related to illegal mining, including the former Chief Minister Digambar Kamat, will start in June.

"Government will revamp the mining department by May and start prosecuting the culprits in the illegal mining cases from June," Parrikar said, talking to reporters here.

Kamat's role in allowing mines to run on the basis of 'deemed extension' after the expiry of their leases in 2007 would be probed, he said.

Mine owners who were involved in illegal extraction of iron ore too would be probed and prosecuted, he said.

However, everybody including Kamat would get the opportunity to defend themselves as per the principles of natural justice, he said.

The Supreme Court, in its order earlier this week, had held that all the mines which operated without a renewed lease after 2007 were illegal.