'BJP will allow auction of mines if voted to power'

The BJP would favour auctioning of mining resources on the lines of the 3G spectrum auction if it comes to power at the Centre post-2014 general elections, Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar said Friday.

Responding to a question from Congress member Reginaldo Lourenco, Parrikar told the Goa legislative assembly that he would write to the prime minister seeking his nod to auctioning of mining resources in the state.

Lourenco had asked the chief minister as to why mining leases, previously allotted by the Portuguese to key families friendly to the colonial power, were being continuously renewed.

"Why should a few families reap benefits of mining? The state government should auction mining leases because it is a national resource and thereby make more money," Lourenco contended.