Panaji, April 24 (IANS) Chief minister Manohar Parrikar is playing to the whims of Goa's mining magnates by rejecting a popular demand for a state-run corporation to control the mining industry, a pro-mining workers' collective said Thursday.
Goa Mining People's Front (GMPF) leader Christopher Fonseca told a press conference Thursday that the Goa government should follow the apex court's cue from last week's landmark judgment and take over operational mining leases from mining magnates, who allegedly oversaw a Rs.35,000-crore illegal mining scam.
"The chief minister is playing to corporate lobby which is controlling the mining industry... No one should forget that it was the greed of these private mining companies which led to the mining ban," said Fonseca, also the state's top Communist Party of India-Marxist leader.
Parrikar, speaking to the media Tuesday after the Supreme Court lifted the 19-month mining ban in Goa, ruled out setting up of a government mining corporation, claiming such corporations "provide huge scope for corruption".
He has also ducked questions about possible auctioning of the iron ore leases, considering they were classified as natural resource.
Fonseca ridiculed Parrikar's distaste for government-run corporations.
"Does that mean the corporations which are functioning as part of his government are corrupt too? Fortunately, whether to set up a corporation or not is not in the chief minister's hands. It is a recommendation made by the Supreme Court," Fonseca said.
A panel of experts appointed by the apex court to study the illegal mining issue in Goa has recommended the formation of a public sector company or a mining corporation to take charge of the mining industry in Goa, in light of the large-scale illegalities carried out by overzealous private mining companies.
The Supreme Court banned mining in October 2012 while hearing a petition on large-scale illegalities in the mining sector in Goa.
A central government-appointed Justice M.B. Shah Commission has exposed a Rs.35,000-crore illegal mining scam in Goa, in which politicians, bureaucrats and mining company magnates are linked.
When the mining industry was at its peak, over 55 million tonnes of iron ore was exported from the state in 2011.
ENG vs PAK: England clean sweeps Pakistan, defeats them by 7 wickets in the last T20 International match
England has won the four-match T20 series 2-0. In the last T20 International match, England defeated Pakistan by 7 wickets. Two matches of the series were canceled due to rain. England's win over
Sagarmala to have coastal economic zones, 12 smart cities: Gadkari
New Delhi, March 26 (IANS) Asserting that the Sagarmala project approved by the cabinet on Wednesday will alone lift India's GDP growth by 2 percent, Highways and Shipping Minister Nitin Gadkari
Strictness: Madrasas giving admission to non-Muslim children will be investigated, Child Protection Commission gives instructions to states
NCPCR on Madrasas Admitting Non-Muslim Children: The Child Protection Commission has issued notices to all states and union territories, directing them to conduct a detailed investigation of madrasas
China - Taiwan: 'Strict action will be taken if Taiwan is attacked', Britain warns China amid tensions
Britain has warned China about any kind of attack on Taiwan on 25 April. Britain said that if China failed to fulfill its international obligations, it could have to bear the risk of domestic and
'Well played', PM tweets his congrats to victorious Indian team
New Delhi, Feb 15 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted his congratulations to the Indian cricket team for its victory over Pakistan in a World Cup pool match in Adelaide."Congrats Team
IND vs ENG: Will Shardul-Anshul be out of the fifth Test? Bumrah and Siraj are tired; these four are strong contenders
Despite drawing the Old Trafford Test against England brilliantly, the Indian team is looking for the ideal playing-11 in the fifth Test. The final Test of the five-match series will be played at The
Karan Johar launches Shanaya Kapoor, Lakshya, and Gurfateh in Bedhadak, know why trolls are praising too?
Karan Johar has announced his new film Bedhadak. On Wednesday evening itself, Karan Johar announced that he would introduce people to 3 new talents on March 3. Along with the announcement of his new
KIIT Row: Action in the suicide case of Nepali student, high-level committee summoned KIIT founder
The investigation into the alleged suicide of the female student in the hostel and the subsequent action of expelling other Nepali students has been intensified. Now the high-level committee of the
PAK vs AUS: David Warner clean bowled by Shaheen Afridi, both presented a unique example of sportsmanship
Pakistan vs Australia: The popularity of Australian opener David Warner is not limited to Australia, he is also very famous among the cricket fans of India and Pakistan and there are reasons for that.
Delhi Air Pollution: The Delhi government called a meeting regarding pollution, and many big announcements can be made
The air quality in the national capital Delhi is continuously declining. There is fog all around in the atmosphere. Delhi government is on alert mode to control this situation.
