SC to hear Goa mining cases

The Supreme Court will on Wednesday hear a plea filed by Goa foundation in 2011 Goa mining cases, that was allegedly carried out in conspiracy with the then UPA government in the state.

On January 18, a Special Investigation Team (SIT) of Goa police filed a charge sheet against former chief minister and Congress leader Digambar Kamat.

Kamat was the tthen chief minister and held the mines portfolio for that period when illegality took place. He had been questioned by the crime branch in the past.

In the beginning of this year, the SIT of Goa crime branch had issued summons to him.

In October 2012, the apex court suspended all iron ore mining and transportation in the state, following a report submitted by Justice M.B. Shah Commission, which found that millions of tonnes of iron ore were mined illegally.

The report stated that illegal mining was being carried out in conspiracy with the state government, including the then CM Digambar Kamat, who pegged the losses to the state at about Rs 35,000 crore.

In 2015, the State Government renewed 88 mining leases, all owned by the very same holders, who were accused of illegal mining.