the goan I network
PANAJI
Former Chief Minister and Digambar Kamat promised to solve the mining issue if the Congress government comes to power, even though he stopped short of telling what his plans are.
Responding to questions at a rare press conference in Panaji, Kamat took the battle to the current ruling dispensation blaming them for the ills of the mining sector.
“I have the capacity to tackle the issue. Prior to this, I have solved big problems… the SEZ problem I have solved… I became the Chief Minister and I solved the SEZ issue, I solved it the way people wanted. I am the only chief minister in the entire country who had the guts to scrap the SEZ policy and the SEZs in the state of Goa. No other chief minister had the guts to do this,” Kamat said.
“It didn’t start during my tenure. During my tenure mining did not come to a halt. My government did not halt mining. On the contrary (during my tenure) the common man got money in their hands. Go and ask in the mining belt,” a combative Kamat told reporters when asked about the mining ban.
When asked about the illegalities during his tenure that were now coming to haunt the state of Goa, Kamat said, “If there were illegalities, it needs to be proved. Latest judgement (of the Supreme Court) is available, read it! The Supreme Court has two judgements on mining. The first one is of (Justice A K) Patnaik. In there, if there is even one stricture against Digambar Kamat you tell me. Read it! Tell me if there is even one stricture against my government or against me, you tell me,” Kamat said.
“Then read the recent judgement of the Justice Madan Lokur bench. Read what they have said about the government (previous BJP government). You will then know who needs to be painted black,” Kamat said.
Asked about his solution, Kamat refused to divulge anything. “I will give the solution when the time comes. There is a time for it. When our government comes into power tomorrow we will reveal our solution.”
