Congress condemns Goa Chief Minister Parrikar's statement

"The Chief Minister should learn to have faith in the judiciary," Congress Legislative Party (CLP) spokesman Aleixo Lourenco Reginaldo told reporters in Panaji.

Speaking on the occasion of former minister late Matanhy Saldanha's birth anniversary in Panaji, Parrikar had yesterday said, "It is the government and not the courts which can find a solution to the mining crisis."

The Supreme Court has ordered the mining to be halted pending a Centrally Empowered Committee (CEC) probe into illegalities pointed out by the Justice M B Shah Commission.

Lourenco alleged Parrikar's contradictory actions, wrong decisions, constant U-turns and this statement, will create further complications for Goa.

The Congress also demanded that there should be a thorough Supreme Court probe using agencies like Enforcement Directorate, Income Tax and Central Bureau of Investigation, not only to investigate politicians but also mining companies involved in large scale violations.

"People want the recovery of Rs 35,000 crores from mining companies which has been pointed out in the Shah Commission Report. If Parrikar cannot do it, then it is high time he should quit," he said.