Goa Congress chief denies involvement in illegal mining

Denying his involvement in illegal mining, Goa Congress Chief Subhash Shirodkar today said he was engaged in extracting iron ore some time back but has bills to prove that it was a legal activity.
Commenting on Goa government's affidavit in the Supreme Court last week naming him for being allegedly involved in illegal mining, Shirodkar sarcastically said it was his 'privilege' to have been named in the affidavit although he was not involved in any illegal mining.
"It is a privilege for me if I am named in the affidavit. You (state government) have powers to file case against me," Shirodkar said.

He said he has four trucks which he owns along with two partners, one of whom being his brother.
"I was also engaged in extraction (of iron ore) activity some time back. But I have all the bills to prove that my activity was legal," the state Congress chief said.
"If I am guilty, I should be punished," he said adding his association with iron ore industry dates back to his childhood.

"I used to sit alongside railway wagons when I was four- year-old as my mother would carry ore and put it in wagons," he said.
The state government has filed an affidavit in response to the a petition filed by NGO Goa Foundation.

The court is waiting for the report of a Central Empowered Committee before giving its verdict.