PANAJI
As the State is stung by a string of crimes over the past fortnight, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Tuesday maintained that Goa Police have successfully controlled the law and order situation while pointing fingers at some outsiders' brush with the law.
"Maximum crimes are executed by outsiders. Our department at every police station level is making serious efforts to undertake various precautions," he said responding to a media query about the spate of crime in Goa.
This is not the first time that CM has blamed outsiders' involvement in criminal activities. However, he added that police have control over the law and order situation and culprits are identified and arrested within 24-72 hours in almost 99 per cent of cases.
The coastal State has been hit by a series of crimes beginning with two drug overdose deaths and the murder of two labourers in separate incidents among other offences.
LAND GRAB
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Tuesday vouched for his cabinet as the Opposition levelled allegations that a minister is involved in the land scam.
Sawant was responding to an allegation by the then Goa Pradesh Congress Committee President Girish Chodankar accusing that one of the ministers is involved in land grabbing.
"Chodankar is unnecessarily levelling allegations against my ministers. He should submit his complaint to the Special Investigation Team than trying to grab media attention by showing documents during the press conference," the CM said.
He went on to add that SIT, which is conducting a detailed probe into the scam will work on his case as well.
"I have complete faith in my cabinet. No minister is involved in any kind of illegality," he further said.
SAND MINING
The Goa government is contemplating approving traditional sand extractors. “In the initial phase, we want to clear the way for traditional sand extractors. Auction of leases will be taken up after that,” CM Pramod Sawant said.
He further mooted a proposal to devise measures to ensure that locals are given priority while assigning leases. On the fatal shooting of a labourer at an illegal sand mine in Curchorem, Sawant said that investigation is on and assured that culprits will be identified and arrested soon.
