PANAJI
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has alleged that it was the erstwhile Digambar Kamat-led Congress government of 2007 to 2012 which issued permission to increase the coal handling capacity of Mormugao Port Trust during the code of conduct. Sawant claimed to have documentary evidence to prove the charge.
Speaking at a public event on the day of Diwali, Sawant stated, “It was then Chief Minister Digambar Kamat, presently the Leader of the Opposition, who on March 2, 2012, even while the code of conduct was in force, allowed the increase of 5 MT in coal handling. I have the papers in my possession.”
He further stressed that the Environmental Clearance which had to be granted by the GSPCB was given twice, once in the year 2011 and the second time in 2012. “We did not bring coal into Goa and rather it was the Congress that brought coal into Goa. They are the ones who have destroyed the State,” Sawant accused.
He further insisted that within the next six months, his government will come up with a plan to use Mormugao Port for tourism purposes. “We are creating infrastructure for the development of the State and not for coal transportation,” the Chief Minister insisted.
