Panaji (Goa): In most likelihood, the former mines secretary with the then Goa government Rajiv Yaduvanshi could undergo a series of questioning in the coming week in connection with the ongoing probe in the multi-crore mining scam.

The IAS officer, who is currently serving as Health Secretary in Delhi, underwent five hours of questioning on Friday and another two hours on Saturday, in the office of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) at Dona Paula.

Yaduvanshi, reportedly a close aide of the chief minister Digambar Kamat, is being grilled for illegal condonation of delay, notings of which are in possession of the SIT. He had served as the principal secretary of mines from 2006 to the 2011 year, which is when illegal mining continued uncontrolled. These years saw two chief ministers – Pratapsing Rane and Digambar Kamat, both from the Congress. The then Congress-led coalition has been at the receiving end for allowing illegal mining that has caused a loss of over Rs 35,000 crore to the State Exchequer.

Kamat, who is himself facing charges in the mining scam, has undergone questioning in the recent past. He has a record of serving the longest 12 years as the Mines Minister until the BJP formed its coalition government in 2012, subsequent to which series of complaints were lodged.

Team TNV