PANAJI: The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has stated that, if the party comes to power, it will initiate an inquiry into the alleged illegal mining scam which led to the loss of Rs 35,000 crore to the state exchequer, as claimed by the Shah Commission.
Speaking to media, AAP member Dr Oscar Rebello said that the state government has discarded the Shah Commission report on illegal mining in Goa which had claimed that it was a Rs 35,000-crore scam.
“The BJP-led state government discarded the same as frivolous claims. If we come to power, the AAP will initiate an inquiry into the report and try to find out where the money went,” he added.
He further said that there are false reports being spread about interactions with the public through ‘Goa Dialogues’. He said “Kejriwal has never said that he will increase the mining cap from 20 million tonne to 35 million tonne. He said that any request to the Supreme Court has to be backed by scientific data to supplement its need and its impact on the environment. However, the apex court’s decision will be final.”
However, he said, the party will meet all stakeholders of the mining industry – the industry, stakeholders as well as the affected people before taking any decision.
Meanwhile, AAP national secretary Pankaj Gupta informed that the process of shortlisting the candidates for the forthcoming Goa Assembly elections will begin by August-end.
He said that active volunteers within each constituency will recommend names of probable candidates and they will be invited to fill up a form. The names of those who fill up the form will be presented to the state screening committee who will shortlist three to five names for each constituency, Gupta added.
He said, “The AAP national political affairs committee (PAC) along with two special invitees from Goa will finally decide the candidate for each constituency from the list.”