Politicians go to war over allegations of illegal mining.

The Times of India:Tuesday, September 26, 2011.

PANAJI: A political war of words erupted on Monday between opposition leader Manohar Parrikar, and ministers Vishwajit Rane (health) and Joaquim Alemao (urban development), as the former held the two ministers responsible for illegal mining in the state.

Speaking to media persons Parrikar said, "This government and ministers in this government, whether Vishwajit Rane or Joaquim Alemao, are in some way or the other responsible for illegal mining in the state and they cannot escape the responsibility. We demand an independent inquiry committee appointed by the Supreme Court or CBI to investigate this matter."

He also said political patronage has led to illegal mining. "One politician from Sattari is reported to be demanding 50 per tonne for lifting dumps from his area," Parrikar said. He didn't name the politician.

He also said the police failed to act on a complaint of illegal extraction of iron ore at Ambelim in Sattari, where around 1 to 1.5 lakh tonnes of iron ore were transported from Ambelim lake and machinery was seized following the complaint but police have not inquired into the issue, which indicates strong political patronage. "Obviously everyone knows who can afford to give political patronage in Sattari," Parrikar said.

Parrikar said based on the documents collected through RTI and answers to assembly questions it is clear that a boom in international market led to illegal mining in Goa. "Since then mining illegalities have been shadowing legal mining activities by 40 to 50%," he said. Parrikar stated that illegal mining in Goa is around 15% to 20% more than in Karnataka.

Parrikar also said that the public account committee (PAC), of which he is chairman, will complete its final report by October 3 or 4. "One of the paras in the report is on mining, obviously in that para there is reference to the royalty loss on 10.9 million tonnes of exported iron ore," Parrikar said.

Reacting to the Mormugao Port Trust (MPT) statement that they will not allow illegal ore to be exported, Parrikar questioned how MPT exported illegal iron ore during the last two years.