Drive against mining behind NCP demand for reshuffle: Goa Cong

Kamat had earlier written to Union Environment & Forests Minister Jairam Ramesh requesting him to initiate action against illegal mining on forest land in Goa,said Congress sources. Acting on the CM’s complaint,the Centre was said to have struck down on illegal mining in the state affecting many political heavyweights. Apart from the proposed new Region Plan that threatened “vested interests” in land,drive against illegal mining was another factor responsible for political instability in the state,claimed Congress leaders.

This comes amidst a tug-of-war between the Congress and its coalition partner NCP in the state. Three-year-old Digambar Kamat government continued to be on a shaky ground as the NCP insisted on a Cabinet reshuffle to ensure smooth functioning of the government. The demand came at the Congress-NCP Coordination Committee meeting at Union Minister and senior NCP leader Praful Patel’s residence here on Wednesday.

NCP sources here said there was a much larger issue of the functioning of the government as was evident from deteriorating law and order situation. A Cabinet reshuffle was required to put this on track,they said. Congress sources,however,attributed rebellion against Kamat government to its drive against illegal mining and the proposed new Regional Plan.

The NCP’s demand for Cabinet reshuffle will be conveyed to the Congress president after her return from Rae Bareli on Thursday,said Congress sources.