Panaji:
In what could spell further trouble for Goa chief minister Digambar Kamat, a commission probing mining violations in the state has found large-scale violations according to preliminary impressions.
The initial findings of the Shah Commission of Inquiry, which has finished surveying 90 operative mines in Goa, is severely critical of the state government for the illegal mining being carried out in the state.
Based on their studies so far, highly-placed sources in the Commission have told NDTV that the mining situation in Goa is very similar to Bellary. The comparison is clearly a huge indictment of the administration given the enormity of the situation in Bellary in Karnataka where the brazen, illegal mining of iron ore has drawn serious criticism from the Supreme Court as also huge political ramifications with the arrest of former BJP minister G Janardhana Reddy, one among the trio of the powerful Reddy brothers in the state.
Sources in the Shah Commission also pointed out that "everything is wrong at all stages" with several "illegalities" involved.
They further added that the "state government is making excuses".
Meanwhile, the Congress high command says that it will take a decision on the continuation of Mr Kamat - who is also the Mining Minister - as the chief minister will be taken after the report is ready.
The Commission is expected to present its report within two months.