PANJIM: With mining companies expressing their inability to pump water for irrigational and drinking purposes to the fullest, Water Resources Department (WRD) has taken a lead to desilt the water from mining pits.
WRD Minister Vinod Palyekar has directed his department to undertake a survey along the mining belts identifying the potential mining pits for pumping out water for irrigational purpose in the long run.
Speaker Dr Pramod Sawant on Thursday chaired a meeting on problems faced by farmers from the mining areas due to failure of the leaseholders to pump water from the mining pits due to closure of iron ore operations.
The meeting was attended by WRD Minister, Chief Secretary Dharmendra Sharma, North Goa Collector Nila Mohanan, WRD officials, farmers and the leaseholders.
Speaking to media persons after the meeting, Sawant said, “The leaseholders said they are undertaking pumping activity but not to the fullest and hence there is lack of water supply,” he said.
Though leaseholders assured to carry out pumping of water till May 30, the water requirement is not sufficient, the Speaker said adding, “We have to work out measures to face such situations in longer run, in case.”
The Speaker said that WRD has taken the responsibility to ensure sufficient supply of water. “Whether mining is there or not, WRD is responsible to give water for irrigational purpose,” he said.
