BICHOLIM: Farmers from Mayem in Bicholim have warned that they would not allow the transportation of ore through their village till the company pays them compensation.
Addressing a press conference here, Sakharam Pednekar, a farmer, said that they have time and again asked the mining company to pay them compensation for the losses they have suffered due to mining, but the company has turned a Nelson’s eye.
“We want to wake up the government on an important issue of mining and transportation. Mayem village has suffered because of mining and after stopping of mining, the companies have washed their hand off. Today no one is ready to listen to the farmers who are victims of mining in the area,” Pednekar said.
He said that since last more than eight years they have submitted several representations to the mining company and government authorities. “We have demanded with the company and the government to solve our problems and save the farmers. We are happy that in Mayem still there are about 90% of farmers who have not abandoned their farming. Neither the company nor the government is listening to our pleas,” he lamented.
“The mining company had assured that it would solve all our problems before the ore could be transported, but they fooled us. Now from Monday the transportation is likely to begin and we will strongly oppose them,” he said.
“As per the guidelines, ore transportation should not be done though the area having dense population. We have already submitted a memo to all the authorities concerned to solve our problems before starting the transportation,” Pednekar informed.
He maintained that if the company pays the farmers compensation, then, they would not have any objection for transporting the ore.
“We will die on the road, but will not allow the company to transport the ore,” he warned.
He demanded that the company first have a meeting with the farmers and resolve their issues.
Coming down heavily on the government, he lamented, “The government says it is promoting farming, but it is not solving the basic issues of the farmers.”
