TEAM TNV

Ribandar (Goa)

Two days after the Special Investigation Team (SIT), probing a bunch of mining-related scams filed a closure report into a bribery case against politician father-son, the sleuths are likely to file charge sheet in another case of illegal condonation against business tycoon Prafulla Hede and former chief minister Digambar Kamat. The charge sheet is expected to be filed before the Special Court, Panaji on Thursday.

As per details FIR registered on September 19, 2014 based on a complaint by Mines Director Prasana Acharya, ‘mining operations were carried out in TC (title of concession) no 30/1950 between 1988 and 2007 year through the illegal condonation of delay given by a public servant/government official at that period, which was in violation of Section 19 of the Mines and Mineral (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957.’ Then CM Digambar Kamat held the reins of the State when the renewal of the mining license was allegedly granted.

Hede however shot back at the charges arguing that condonation of delay in applying for renewal of his mining lease at Collem was carried out by the Centre in 1992-93 year and slammed the Directorate of Mines & Geology Department for the ‘goof up’ resulting in a criminal case against him. 

“The State government had no powers to condone the delay and was duty bound to comply with Central government’s directions. The condonation of delay in applying for renewal of Collem Mine license was done in 1992-93 to the central government and the order was passed by the central government on February 9, 1993 to the State government in exercise of its revisionary powers for compliance by the latter,” Hede had told a press conference after deposing before the SIT pertaining to the case. 

He had also denied links with specific political party claiming he is in general contact with some politicians across all parties.