BJP gives no names in Goa mining scam

A delegation of BJP leaders led by Leader of Opposition Manohar Parrikar met officials of the CBI and also Central Pollution Control Board in Delhi last week demanding enquiry into the illegal mining scam in the state. Parrikar, who chaired the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) which exposed the Rs 4,000 crore illegal mining industry, however, did not name anyone in the illegal mining trade in his communication to the CBI.

The letter, the copy of which is available with PTI, mentions that illegal mining in Sattari and Sanguem talukas itself amounts to Rs 6,100 crore as 15.2 million tons of ore was extracted from these iron ore rich regions during last five years. The BJP had called the action against illegal mining by the state government authorities as a "mere eyewash".

However, Goa BJP Chief Laxmikant Parsekar dodged queries on as to why no politician was named in front of the CBI. "The party will be preparing a detailed document on illegal mining in which all the facts and people involved would be named," he said refusing to comment further.

Parsekar, displaying the handouts blaming Digambar Kamat for illegal mining, said the party has launched a massive campaign against corruption in the state. "We are going house to house with the issue," he said.