Team Herald
PANJIM: The Supreme Court judgment to quash the second renewal of 88 mining leases has been welcomed by petitioners and activists from the mining belt.
Addressing the media in Panjim, activists said the government should follow the directions of the Apex Court and discontinue mining activities in the interest of the State.
Abhijeet Prabhudesai, one of the petitioners, demanded that the government carry out sustainable development and recover the losses incurred to the State exchequer.
“We express the jubilation of tens of thousands of mining affected families across Goa at the end of the reign of unethical mining companies, who have looted our natural resources and destroyed our environment, economy and society. This is a victory for every resident of Bicholim, Quepem and Sanguem talukas who through the petitioners have given their villages a chance to restore sustainable economies. We thank Adv Anitha Shenoy and her team for representing us and the people of Goa with great zeal and personal interest,” Prabhudesai stated.
Demanding recovery of the Rs 35,000 crore, as worked out by the Shah Commission, Prabhudesai, accompanied by other petitioners and activists, said the money be exclusively used for supporting agriculture, self-reliance, restoration of the environment, reparation to victims and mining dependents, and self-governance in mining-affected areas.
Activist Ravindra Velip said, “The Government must immediately commence all mining closure plans for restoration of the lease areas and to employ mining dependent persons in these activities. As regards to the little ore that is left, let our generation not touch it, at least for 10 years. Let us not lose this opportunity to salvage what we can for our children, before there is nothing left at all. The government must stop all excavation works at all leases immediately and phase out transportation, while commencing closure of the mines.”
