The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) Chairman, Mr Manohar Parrikar, today said that he will wait and watch for the Goa Legislative Assembly Speaker to take a call on the illegal mining report submitted to him.

“I can’t comment on anything right now. I have given the report to the Speaker. I hope that he tables it today in the session,” Mr Parrikar said.

The report, which has extensively investigated the illegal mining trade in the state, has pegged the mining scam to be at Rs 4,000 crore.

The report was handed over to the Speaker, Mr Pratapsingh Rane, on Wednesday, the first day of the session, and he is expected to decide on it today.

When contacted, Mr Rane preferred to keep mum on the issue.

On Wednesday, he had said that since majority of the members have not signed it, the report may not be considered.

Mr Parrikar said that three Congress members and one Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) member refusing to sign the document does not challenge the authenticity of the report.

“The rules are clear that the report has to be signed by Chairman and the opinions expressed by members should be embedded in the final report,” he said.

The PAC Chairman said he has recorded the views expressed by ruling party members during the meeting.

“They have not given me anything in writing but I have recorded everything in the covering letter submitted along with the report,” Mr Parrikar said.

Related Topics