MoEF responsible for messing up Goa mining sector: Parrikar

"We have evidence of the illegalities by MoEF while granting environmental clearances to few mining firms in the state in the past. These illegalities can land them (officials) in jail," Parrikar told the Legislative Assembly.

He was responding to various questions raised by the members on the cut motion moved on demands for grants.

"The state government will hand over these cases to crime branch for further investigation....Let the crime branch decide fate of these cases," the chief minister said.

Pointing out the alleged irregularities, Parrikar said the MoEF in 2007 had granted environmental clearance (EC) to one Imran Khan who did not have mining lease in his name.

In yet another case, the clearance was granted to a mine which had stopped operating way back in 1988, he said, adding "the MoEF is responsible for the the current mess in the mining sector of Goa".

According to a projection, the export of ore from Goa may come down this year from the last year's 43 million metric tonne.

"Since the time I have taken over, the illegal mining activity has been stopped, which is indicated in the export figures of the last quarter," he said, adding the exports has dropped by almost 40 per cent.