OLD GOA
The Revolutionary Goans Party (RGP) chief Manoj Parab alleged that Congress president Amit Patkar is involved in a mining scam as he claimed that Patkar got waivers in the e-auction process.
Speaking to reporters in Panaji on Wednesday, Parab said that in the 22nd e-auction of the iron ore in 2019, one firm won auction for 38000 tonnes of iron ore for which a particular lot number was allotted. “The location of the ore for the same is shown at Pissurlem and the ore type is shown as ROM (run off mines),” Parab stated. “However, in 2023, Amit Earthmovers owned by the GPCC president gets a sale permit with the same lot number and the location of the ore is shown at a private jetty. Further the ore type is shown as iron ore fines,” Parab claimed.
“Now, the question arises how the ore got transferred from Pissurlem to the private jetty,” Parab said, while questioning how the ore was converted from ROM to fines.
Parab also pointed out to the observations made by the Advocate General in respect of the 26th e-auction in which the firm which won the auction at the 22nd e-auction was stated to have not paid the bidding amount.
“As per the e-auction rules, any firm which does not pay the bid amount, then the iron ore needs to be re-auctioned. Then why was the same not done in this case?” Parab questioned while alleging that it shows that Congress president Patkar was using his connections with the BJP to benefit his firm.
Patkar rubbishes Parab’s claims
Rubbishing the allegations made by RGP chief Manoj Parab that he is involved in a mining scam, Congress president Amit Patkar advised Parab to first get his facts right and not mislead the public through misinformation.
Addressing reporters, Patkar pointed out that he brought the iron ore from the firm, which won the bid at the 22nd e-auction. “And to set the record straight, my firm brought two lots, not one as mentioned by Parab. One lot was of 38000 tonnes and the other lot was of 12000 tonnes, totaling 50000 tonnes,” Patkar said.
“And of these 50000 tonnes, I have transported the iron ore from Pissurlem to the private jetty by following all procedures and getting necessary licence from the Goa Pollution Board. Parab should understand that the Supreme Court is monitoring the entire process and there is no scope for manipulation,” Patkar said.
“The firm which brought the iron ore at the 22nd e-auction had paid all the necessary amount to the government and my firm had bought it with proper documentation,” Patkar informed while chiding Parab for trying to show that the said firm was in default of payment by showing AG’s observations which pertained to the 26th e-auction.
“These are two different e-auctions. The AG’s observations of the 26th e-auction has no relation to the 22nd e-auction which Parab should understand. If that firm defaulted in making payments for some other bid, it has got nothing to do with my firm,” Patkar clarified.
Further, Patkar advised Parab that if he really wants to help Goans doing legitimate business then he should help him as he is being targeted by the BJP because he is the GPCC president.
“Today, this BJP government is targeting the Opposition leaders and my firm is not allowed to do transportation of the ore which was purchased legally. Of the 50000 tonnes, 19000 still remains to be transported and despite several applications, my firm is not permitted to do so,” Patkar pointed out.
Further, Patkar stated that as per the SC guidelines, the auctioned iron ore which is lying outside the lease area need not be transported within a certain time limit. “If the auctioned iron ore is lying in a private property or in a private jetty, it can be kept there for as long as the owners permit,” Patkar added.
Patkar to file defamation case against Parab
GPCC president Amit Patkar has stated that he would file a defamation case against RGP chief Manoj Parab for damaging his reputation, his firm’s reputation as also the reputation of the Congress Party.
“With his wild and unfounded allegations, Parab has brought disrepute to me, my firm and the party that I represent the Congress,” Patkar said while adding that in the coming days, he would file a defamation case against Parab.
Patkar then stated that the allegations have been made at the behest of a BJP minister and called Parab an agent of the BJP. “I will address the media with proof of how Parab is involved in a Rs 500 crore scam,” Patkar said.
