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PANAJI
​Special Investigation Team probing the alleged Rs 35,000 crore mining scam has submitted an additional say before the Special Court, Panaji offering evidence to prove that former Chief Minister and Mines Minister Digambar Kamat was involved in illegal mining business and export of iron ore and that he used a jetty in Bicholim taluka for export of illegally mined
iron ore.
SIT, in its say, has stated that Kamat acquired a piece of land in Kothambi village of Bicholim taluka by misusing the government machinery at his disposal in connivance with a businessman and later harassed the affected land owner for his refusal to cooperate.
SIT stated that during the course of its investigation, the statement of a witness was recorded which throws light on how Kamat, who held the CM's position from 2007 to 2012, allegedly carried out illegal mining business and harassed companies for not obliging him.
In the statement, the witness has disclosed that on July 5, 2006, Kamat summoned him to his Margao residence. During this meeting, the witness was pressurised to part with a piece of land owned by him at Kothambi, Bicholim. Kamat allegedly wanted the land for construction of an approach road for barge loading jetties, which he intended to build in the vicinity. These jetties were to be used for exporting iron ore, Kamat allegedly told the witness during their conversation.
However, when the witness expressed inability to part with the said piece of land owing to the financial investment he had made in order to buy it, Kamat threatened him that he would forcibly acquire the land through the State government. Accordingly, Goa Government on March 12, 2007 issued a notification under the Land Acquisition Act for acquiring the land in Kothambi under the pretext of its requirement for public purpose.
Following this, the witness sought information under the Right to Information Act and discovered that M/s Alcon Cement Company Pvt Ltd had submitted an application before the Mines Department stating that it was constructing a loading jetty for export of iron ore and for import of cement, clinker and slag.
This application was moved by Kamat and was supported by a Cabinet note for acquisition of the land in
Kothambi.
The witness further told the SIT that the land
acquisition process and grant of NOCs were carried out hastily without verification of facts and by bending and
breaking various rules and regulations.
It was also pointed out that the process deviated from the established practice of acquiring land under the Public Works Department for road construction, in this case, the land was acquired by the Mines Department. The witness has also raised concerns over the arbitrary transfer of the NOC issued to M/s Alcon Cement to M/s Counto Metals and Mining Company Pvt Ltd, which are necessarily two separate and independent legal entities with completely different share holdings.
Referring to the speedy manner in which NOC for construction and operation of these jetties were granted, the witness has claimed that it was due to the existence of an approach road.
But, "Kamat wanted a very comfortable and a shortcut road to the said jetty to increase his profitability by availing their ready infrastructure and facilities on a platter and that too free of cost," the SIT has declared in its say.
The witness also divulged before the SIT the details
of how he was harassed
by the State machinery following this.
SIT SAY: IN BLACK & WHITE
Kamat was involved in illegal mining business and export of iron ore
Kamat acquired piece of land in Kothambi village of Bicholim taluka
Misused government machinery in connivance with private businessman
Harassed affected land owner for refusal to cooperate
On March 12, 2007 notification under the Land Acquisition Act issued for acquiring said land in Kothambi
Kamat allegedly wanted land for construction of an approach road for jetties
On July 5, 2006, Kamat summons him to his Margao residence
Pressurised to part with a piece of land owned by him at Kothambi
Witness seeks info under RTI; finds that M/s Alcon Cement Company had submitted application to construct jetty for export of iron ore and for import of cement, clinker and slag
Land acquisition process and grant of NOCs carried out hastily without verification of facts
Process deviated from established practice of acquiring land under PWD for road construction
Arbitrary transfer of NOC issued to M/s Alcon Cement to M/s Counto Metals and Mining Company Pvt Ltd
