A week after denying occurrence of illegal mining in Goa, the Chief Minister, Mr Manohar Parrikar, today said that two dozen such cases were detected during the last five years in the State.

Mr Parrikar in a written reply tabled on the floor of the House said that since 2007, twenty-four cases of illegal mining activities have been detected.

The illegal mining cases have been reported from iron-ore rich Sanguem, Pernem, Ponda, Sattari, Quepem and Bicholim taluka while one case was registered in Tiswadi taluka, less known for mining activities.

The replies tabled on the floor of the House indicate the delay on the part of government authorities, as in several cases details were sought about the person owning the land from district administration two years back but the department was yet to get the response.

Mr Parrikar said in the reply that no cases of persons involved in trading and transporting illegal iron ore has come to the notice of the Government.

“However, investigation is in progress to find out illegalities during the past,” he added.

The Chief Minister had drawn flak in the past from the environmental activist for claiming that there is no illegal mining in the State.

Defending his statement on the floor of the House, Mr Parrikar claimed that there is no illegal mining but there are cases of illegal extraction.

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