PAC report on illegal mining in Goa to be tabled on 5 Oct

**Panaji:**The Manohar Parrikar-led Public Accounts Committee (PAC), investigating the increasing phenomenon of illegal mining in Goa, would be tabling its report on 5 0ctober when the two-day State Legislative Assembly session begins here.

Leader of Opposition Parrikar said he would table the report on the first day itself in the House ahead of the Central government-appointed Shah Commission which is expected to give its report in one-and-a half month.

According to sources, the PAC report speaks in detail about the illegal mining trade in Goa and points to exchequer losses on this account which could be somewhere between Rs 1,200-10,000 crore.

“The final report is ready but has been kept under wraps as it cannot be made public before presenting it to Speaker’’s office or tabling during the session,” sources said.

More from Economy

Narendra Modi gets a stellar economic advisory panel but will he listen to it in an election year? Demonetisation: RBI will take time to count scrapped currency note deposits, says Arun Jaitley

[caption id=“attachment_90589” align=“alignleft” width=“380” caption=“The Shah Commission members are investigating into each and every mining lease in the state.Photo: Raman Kirpal/Firstpost”]  [/caption]

The investigations by PAC (constituted by Goa Assembly) are based on the Comptroller Auditor General (CAG) report which had pointed out that from 2003-2005, almost one crore tones of Iron Ore was exported from Goa evading royalty.

The Committee has already sought data from state mines and geology and forest departments on the matter, which has pointed out to the large-scale irregularities in mining trade.

Meanwhile, the Shah Commission probe is still midway.The Commission members are investigating into each and every mining lease in the state.

Sources said that almost 75 percent of the total 90 mining leases in the state have been inspected by eight teams which are currently camping in the state.

During its initial investigations, the Commission has already asked state mines and geology department to act against eight mines which were found to be working in violation of various laws.

PTI