Congress asks Goa govt to move SC to prosecute guilty miners, politicos

PANAJI: Opposition Congress today asked Manohar Parrikar government to file an affidavit in the supreme court for criminal prosecution of mining companies, miners and politicians involved in the illegal extraction of coal.

Congress also accused the ruling BJP government of "fooling" people by filing complaints with the crime branch even though the issue is being heard by the apex court.

"There is no need to go to different forum. This will further delay resumption of mining in the state. Congress is in the favour of restarting the mining activity as soon as possible," said Congress spokesman Aleixo Lourenco.

The state Mines and Geology department had filed case with the crime branch in connection with illegal mining in the state.

"(Instead) the state government should file affidavit in the SC asking for criminal prosecution of all mining companies, mine-owners and politicians (who are) involved in illegal mining," he said.

Lourenco conceded that his party lost the 2012 Assembly elections on the illegal mining issue. "People threw us out because of illegal mining. But now the current government should not create further mess," he said.

The supreme court imposed a temporary ban on mining in the state on the petition filed by a state-based NGO, Goa Foundation last year.

The apex court has directed the Central Empowered Committee (CEC) to probe into the instances of illegal mining as pointed out by Justice M B Shah Commission in its report.