Ore transportation: Cong files plaint against minister, BJP demands apology

Panaji/Vasco: Keeping up the pressure on urban development minister Milind Naik and the state government, Congress on Friday filed a complaint at the Bogda police station demanding action against four individuals including Naik on the issue of illegal transportation of iron ore.

State Congress vice president Sankalp Amonkar, who filed the complaint, said he is ready to stake his political career to ensure that the issue reaches a logical end.

The complaint is filed against the department of mines and geology, Naik, the chairman of Mormugao Port Trust (MPT) and others. The complaint alleges that around 1,800 tonnes of iron ore cargo lying with MPT was loaded into barges and subsequently to a ship without norms being followed.

“I am ready to face any number of defamation cases but I will not back out from taking up public issues,” Amonkar said. “We have given all necessary documents and photos and now authorities have to investigate. I am willing to resign from politics if proved wrong.”

A day earlier, chief minister Pramod Sawant brushed aside the allegations raised by Congress and said that the coal was transported by following all norms. Congress is not ready to accept the government’s clarification and has said that if Goa police does not take action, a writ petition would be filed.

The Mormugao BJP Block has demanded apology from Amonkar within three days or to face action for “baseless allegations” against Naik. Not only defamations but all actions that could be taken under legal provisions would be taken against Amonkar,ex councillor Sanjay Satardekar said .Naik has business in shipping and that cannot be taken as faul, he added.