CBI should probe illegal mining in Goa: BJP MP

PANAJI - Only a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the multi-crore illegal mining industry in Goa can help bring the culprits to book, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP and former state BJP president Shripad Naik said Sunday.

Addressing a press conference in Panaji, the former union minister of state for agriculture said that illegal mining in Goa had reached monumental proportions.

“We have been protesting time and again at various forums, right from agitations to legislative assembly debates, but the government is doing absolutely nothing to prevent it,” Naik said.

“We want a CBI probe into the illegal mining trade. We need to bust it,” Naik said.

More than Rs.4,000 crore worth of illegal ore was exported out of Goa, according to figures provided by the state mining department in the legislative assembly during the monsoon session.

According to Leader of Opposition Manohar Parrikar, nearly 18 percent of the 40 million tonnes of manganese and iron ore is illegally exported from Goa. He has also accused Chief Minister Digambar Kamat and several cabinet minister of sheltering illegal mining in the state.