PANJIM, FEB 25
Lambasting  the Kamat-led  government  over  core issues  such  as corruption,   illegal mining,   law and order problem  which he had been persistently  following during last  one year ,  the  Leader   of  the  Opposition  Manohar Parrikar  said, 18 to 22 per cent of minerals  exported comes  from  illegal  sources.
Alleging that the government has failed to contain illegal mining activities in the State, Parrikar  said  State’s ore  exports  have touched 43 million ton  and increase  registered  is  twice the quantity  exported  five  years  ago.  
However,  the department of mines has been able to  account for 32-33 million  ton  of minerals extracted.   He made the allegations on the basis  of information obtained  under  RTI and   replies received for his assembly questions.
He said,  this issue will be raised in the Assembly next month as also will  be taken up with Union Minister for  Environment  Jairam Ramesh.
Making further allegations against the government he said , comunidade lands are  being  diverted  for mining purposes and even some ministers   are  involved in illegalities.
He also attacked minister for forest but did not name him,  saying he should be   called  “deforestation  minister. “About 1500 ha  of forest land  has been  converted  into  non-forest, he alleged.
Failure of  the government  to curb illegal mining has led to unrest in the  villages  where  such  activities happen.  He said,  problem could have been tackled  only  if the government had  shown willingness  to  stop  illegal  mining  activities.
“Kamat being in-charge of  the  mining  department  for  past ten years there ought not have  been  chaos  in the mining department, “ he said while reacting  to a question whether  he  was  putting  the  blame on the chief minister  who also holds mines  portfolio. Incidentally, even in the BJP government Kamat held the Mines portfolio besides that of power.
YADHUVANSHI: Parrikar  also  charged  thrice  Kamat  has intervened and stopped
transfer  of Secretary Mines,  Rajiv Yaduvanshi.  Normally,  an  IAS remains  in one posting for  three-four  years, but  Yaduvanshi  has been in Goa administration  for too long.  Yaduvanshi is also secretary to chief minister.
MINING POLICY: According  to Parrikar,   the proposed   mining policy  will not  serve any purpose as  major minerals  are listed  under  Schedule  I  of the Constitution.
It means,  it forms part of the Central list  and does  not  give  any scope for the state  government  in this regard.   With this being a situation  proposed  mining  policy has “no meaning,” he said  further adding he  raised  two-three  important points in the meeting  held to discuss the policy.
LOKAYUKTA:  Claiming  that  he  has relevant  documents to  prove  corruption charges  against   ministers in the Kamat  government,  Parrikar said,  it  has deliberately   delayed passing of  the Lok  Ayukuta Bill.
He has no faith in the vigilance department which is being controlled by the  government . The department even hesitates to touch corrupt officers leave alone tainted ministers. The Additional Director is Arun Desai who incidentally was Joint Secretary to CM when Parrikar was the CM.
EXCISE: Referring  to   enquiry  conducted  by finance secretary (FS) into alleged   scam in the excise  department involving  senior  officers of the department,  he said,  even  two and a half months later  FS has not  come out with any result. “What has he done”,”  he said.
The enquiry was ordered to “hoodwink”  people,   he alleged . “Either  the FS is also part  of the  racket or  he has been  maneuvered by chief minister.”
In the last assembly  session, Parrikar said the State continue to suffer loss of Rs 5-6 crore  a month but  the  government  is  yet to  take  any action, he claimed.