FRIDAY, APRIL 26, 2024
Team Herald
BICHOLIM: In a major boost to the farmers from Pissurlem, Bicholim, the Bombay High Court at Goa has directed the State government to pump out water from the mining pits and supply to the agricultural fields and lake in the village.
The decision was given by the High Court on the Public Interest Litigation filed by President of Pissurlem Shetkari Sanghatna Hanumant Parab.
The High Court directed the State government to release mining pits water to 90 acres agriculture fields of 155 farmers, who are dependent upon agriculture.
In the PIL, Parab urged the High Court to release the said water to village lake, construction to be done for restoration of water for the paddy fields and laying the pipeline from the mining pits to the lake.
“Based on my intervention around 800 families get water supplied through water tanks and all this will be done through the District Mineral Fund,” Parab informed.
He expressed satisfaction over the judgement and urged the State government to speed up the process.
“Eight weeks time is given to the government to consider our issues. Accordingly Collector North held meeting and Sattari Mamlatdar Dasharath Gawas visited the site for inspection along with Department of Agriculture, Water Resources Department, PWD and Directorate of Mines. They have submitted the report to the Collector’s office and we hope that the farmers will get their required rights soon,” Parab added.
The High Court has also directed the State government to pump out the water and get it to the proposed water treatment plant at Khodgini.
“This water treatment plant would solve the problem of water shortage in the mining belt of Honda, Pissurlem and surrounding areas,” he said.
