Blacklist mine owner named in black money case, says Goa Foundation

Goa Foundation, which had approached the Supreme Court against illegal mining in the state said on Monday that the mine owner named in the first list of people who allegedly parked money abroad should be blacklisted from the mining business.

"As far as I know, the consequence of finding the mine owner's name in the list of those who parked black money abroad should be that she should be blacklisted from conducting mining operations," said Goa Foundation's Director Claude Alvares.

"I don't know under which law or constitution she would be allowed to mine again in Goa," Alvares said.

The CBI list submitted to the Supreme Court has named three people including Goa-based mine owner Radha Timblo for parking money in Swiss banks.

Timblo has refused to comment stating that she is yet to read the affidavit filed before the Supreme Court.

Alvares said that this is only the first case and there are several cases of miners and private companies who have parked their money abroad.

He said that the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has not allowed any mine owner to deposit money abroad.

Meanwhile, in his initial reaction, Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar refused to talk about the blacklisting of the mine owner.

"I have not seen the affidavit. I will be able to comment on it only after reading it," he reacted.