The CBI, probing alleged irregularities in the allocation of licences for exploring minerals in the sea bed of Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea, is preparing to examine four senior officials of the ministry of mines next week. The agency is also planning to question officials of four private companies, who were allocated licences.
According to sources initial probe by the agency has revealed that licences for exploration of at least four blocks were given to private companies despite lacking necessary qualification. “Probe has also revealed that the alleged favours were extended by unknown officials of the Indian Bureau of Mines to these companies while awarding licences for exploring minerals in the Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea,” sources said.
“The role of at least four officials of the ministry of mines is under the scanner of the agency and they will soon be called for certain clarification”, sources said.
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Goa: `1,200 cr locked due to mining row
age Correspondent
Panaji, Oct. 06
Stating that `1,200-crore-worth investments have been locked due to the mining imbroglio in the state, the Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) said on Saturday that the Supreme Court should have spared iron ore mines operating legally.
“Legal mining activity should have been allowed to continue. There are so many mining leases that are legally valid,” GCCI president Mr Manguirish Pai Raikar said on Saturday commenting on the apex court’s order of suspending all mining operations in Goa.
Mining had been stopped by the BJP government a month back and after Friday’s order, ruling party MLA’s fell over each other taking credit for stopping mining.
MLA Mickky Pacheco, who is a part of the ruling coalition, in fact said that former CM and mines minister for the last decade, Mr Digambar Kamat, should be arrested.