PORVORIM: Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao questioned the government over delays in starting full-fledged mining in the State, despite multiple announcements.
Speaking during the discussion on demands for Mines and Education, he said, “A total of nine mining blocks have been auctioned, but there is no concrete deadline for the full-fledged commencement of mining in the state.”
“Mining activities are currently underway in only one of the nine mining blocks. The Union Home Minister announced in Mapusa last year that mining would start within the next two years. Will it happen on time or be delayed by another two years?” he asked.
He noted that out of the Rs 271 crore in green cess to be collected from companies like Adani, Vedanta, and JSW, only Rs 13 crore has been recovered, and questioned when the remaining amount will be collected.
“People are suffering due to the inclusion of temples and houses in the leases granted to Vedanta. Why were these included in the first place? Vedanta was allowed to export 80,000 tons of ore without paying Rs 165 crore. We also do not know when the mining dump policy will be implemented. The same issue applies to sand mining,” he said.
Alemao questioned the government’s efforts to recover the Rs 35,000 crore allegedly lost from the State exchequer due to illegal mining. “Why were companies accused of illegal activities allowed to participate in the auction?” he asked. He urged the government to resolve issues related to the regularisation and salary enhancement of para teachers, vocational teachers, and MTS staff. He highlighted that some teachers are assigned election duties throughout the year, leading to their absence from schools.
Additionally, he claimed that the BJP government had written to the Chief Secretary of Goa in 2000, stating that Dabolim Airport would be closed after Mopa is commissioned.