Ribandar (Goa): Sitting Congress legislator Digambar Kamat was grilled for two hours in the ongoing probe into condonation of delay, which was allegedly illegally granted during his tenure as Chief Minister and Mines Minister of the State of Goa. The Special Investigation Team (SIT) (Mines) quizzed him on various file notings which had Kamat’s signatures, when he was the CM from 2007-12. 

Kamat, who was accompanied by his personal assistant and lawyer to the office of crime branch, told the waiting media that he cooperated with the investigation. “I have replied to whatever questions were asked to me. The Almighty knows everything,” he told the media as he emerged from the interrogation room. 

SIT SP Kartik Kashyap refused to reveal details while only claiming that the investigating office will call Kamat as and when required. 

The former CM and ex-Mines Minister is facing inquiry into illegal condonation of several mining leases. The SIT has laid its hand on several documents that has Kamat’s notings asking for personal hearing and thereafter allowing condonation despite delay in renewal of mining leases. A huge number of mining leases were granted condonation even after the license had expired. “As per the amended Mineral Concession Rules 2000 under section 24 (A) (10), the State government can condone an application for renewal provided it is filed before the expiry of the lease. However, some application files were considered for illegal condonation,” an officer said.