Parrikar alleges illegal mining in Goa

"Under the garb of desilting the pond, a huge pit which is 200 metres wide and 2.5 metres deep was dug. This is as big as two football grounds," Parrikar said participating in the Legislative Assembly session today.

The allegation came close on the heels of his earlier claims of rampant illegal mining in the state, which were conceded to by Chief Minister Digamber Kamat who is Mining Minister himself.

Parrikar alleged that the iron ore was illegally extracted from this place and sold in the international market right under the nose of the state government, which has failed to act in the matter.

The BJP leader alleged that local police inspector Shivram Vaingankar was also involved in the illegal mining and is a party for one of the sub contract for the same.

Defending his government, Kamat said police have already filed a complaint in this matter and the mining owner has managed to get anticipatory bail.

"Police told me this morning that they will file application to cancel the anticipatory bail," the Chief Minister said.

"Deputy Inspector General of Police has been asked to personally investigate the entire case. Once the entire valuation of ore extracted is assessed, we will also file a suit in the court under Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation Act)," he said.