Centre was responsible for illegal mining in Goa: Parrikar

Goa chief minister Manohar Parrikar today said the central government was responsible for illegal mining in the state as it gave environment clearances for the projects without verifying basic facts.

"The central government is the main perpetrator of illegal mining in Goa. They have given environmental clearances without confirming as to who was the mining lease holder and who was the contractor," Parrikar told the state Legislative Assembly today.

He also said that while the state bears the brunt of environmental degradation due to mining, the revenue in terms of taxes is enjoyed by the central government.

In an indirect reference to the letters by Union Ministry of Environment and Forest and the Ministry of Mines to the state government, Parrikar said that the ministries are now "talking big" even though they are responsible for the illegalities.

The chief minister alleged that the union ministries are dashing letters to the state government to see that they are not held responsible by the Justice M B Shah Commission which is enquiring into the illegal iron ore and manganese mining in the country, including Goa.