Goa mining scam: Sonia seeks detailed report by Friday

With the allegations of illegal mining against Goa chief minister Digambar Kamat and his cabinet colleagues increasing, Congress president Sonia Gandhi has sought a detailed report on the issue. Aurangzeb Naqshbandi reports.

With the allegations of illegal mining against Goa chief minister Digambar Kamat and his cabinet colleagues increasing, Congress president Sonia Gandhi has sought a detailed report on the issue.

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Congress sources said Gandhi asked Goa in-charge Jagmeet Brar to take a stock of the situation and submit a detailed report by Friday.

During his three-day visit to Goa, Brar will meet top leaders and party functionaries to elicit their views on the controversy. He is also expected to meet the leaders of Congress allies - the NCP and Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party.

But the party has already made that there would be zero tolerance for corruption. "There will be no compromise on corruption. As I have stated earlier, if any of our leaders is indicted by any inquiry commission or body, we are not going to overlook that or take it lightly…. Appropriate action will be definitely taken," Brar said.

"The indicted will be given a fair chance to defend themselves. There will be no action on the basis of media reports."

He said the party leadership will "not ignore and study in detail" the much-awaited report of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), headed by BJP leader Manohar Parrikar.

The Centre-appointed Justice MB Shah Commission is also looking into the illegal mining in Goa, pegged between Rs 1,200 crore and Rs 10,000 crore.