Cong demands white paper on illegal mining in Goa

The BJP-led government in Goa should come out with a white paper on the issue of illegal mining in the state and the steps taken to recover the losses caused to exchequer because of it, Congress has demanded.
"The government should come out with a white paper on the issue. They should give details about the total losses (incurred) due to illegal mining and also on irregularities indulged in by individual mine owners," Goa Pradesh Congress Committee secretary Durgadas Kamat told reporters yesterday.
"The paper should also mention steps initiated by the government to recover losses to the state exchequer due to illegal mining," he said.

The Justice M B Shah Commission in its inquiry report, submitted to the Supreme Court, had stated that the illegal mining in Goa was to the tune of Rs 35,000 crore, Kamat said. The report had also named several mining firms pointing out to illegalities done by them, he added.
He said the panel of chartered accountants, appointed by the state government to conduct investigation into the illegalities by mine owners was just a "superficial exercise".
The Congress leader alleged that since mining lobbies fund the political parties, they are insulated from any criminal action against them.