The illegal mining in Goa which accelerated from the year 2000 has been an all party venture and loot with the Congress, BJP, NCP and the MGP all having shared and enjoyed the pie with Manohar Parrikar himself having been the Chief Minister earlier from 24 October 2000 to 2 February 2005.
The current probe into the alleged over Rs 30,000 crore illegal mining scam by a Special Investigation team is nothing but a drama and a mere eyewash to divert and distract the attention of the people of Goa from the mind boggling follies of this non-performing now lack luster government. We can rest assure that despite all that decade long rampant illegal mining and reckless plunder of Goa's national resources, no one will be punished and not a paisa will be recovered. Now that the whole mining issue is under the scanner of the Supreme Court, the mining activity when it resumes will be monitored under the directions and supervision of the Court. Goa's rich mineral resources cannot be pocketed by the handful mining lords. The Mining leases ought to be auctioned so that the State exchequer gets the best deal. But Goa's Advocate General who has only the interests of the Mining barons so dearly at heart has reportedly been aggressively advising the government against the auctioning of the mining leases. He has reportedly even gone to the extent in cautioning Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar that he may lose his chair if he does not protect and shield the mining lobby. Mr. Advocate General, it is not your mandate to give the government political advice. You are obligated to only tender sound legal advice which would be in the best interest of the State. As the Advocate General you cannot continue being a Messiah of the mining companies. You are India's highest paid Advocate General with the Goan tax payer shelling out on you up to a whopping Rs eight lakhs a month and in addition Rs 75,000 per day on your every jaunt to Delhi. After being paid five times more than the President of India there can be no reason why you should not at all times truly keep Goa's best interests at heart. Mr. Atmaram Nadkarni, you write and speak a lot about Spiritual values. Please walk the talk. Time for some self introspection. It's Goa that should have the last laugh. Aires Rodrigues T1 - B30, Ribandar Retreat Ribandar - Goa - 403006 Mobile: 9822684372
