Goa mining scam: BJP seeks Digambar Kamat's resignation as MLA

Goa unit of BJP on Thursday demanded resignation of former chief minister Digambar Kamat as Congress MLA following his indictment by a judicial commission for illegal iron ore mining in the state.

"Justice M B Shah Commission has held Kamat directly responsible for the mess as a minister of mines. Congress should tender apology for the mining mess...We demand that Digambar Kamat must quit (as a legislator) owning the responsibility," the state BJP spokesman Dr Wilfred Mesquita told reporters.

Kamat represents Margaon assembly constituency in South Goa.

The state government should also crack whip on those mine owners who were involved in illegal mining activity as mentioned in the Shah Commission report, he said, adding the mining scam cost the state exchequer dear and the money be recovered from the guilty.

"Money belongs to the people of Goa and should be recovered from the mine owners," Mesquita said.

Shah Commission in its report, tabled in Parliament recently, pegged the scam to the tune of Rs 35,000 crore.