SUNDAY, JULY 28, 2024
Team Herald
PANJIM: The Congress Party on Monday demanded that the State government intervene in the matter of compensation to be given to farmers by the pig-iron plant of Vedanta Ltd at Amona. Addressing a press conference, Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) general secretary Srinivas Khalap, said, “Farmers in the area had complained about how the plant was discharging effluents in fields, polluting the environment and damaging standing crops. The High Court had directed the company to compensate the farmers, but till today they have not received a single rupee.”
He claimed that farmers have not received compensation towards pollution done by the pig-iron plant of Vedanta Ltd at Amona till date.
“Agriculture activities were stopped as the crops were damaged. People were not able cultivate their fields as the area is polluted and the government is not taking any action,” Khalap said.
GPCC member Khemlo Sawant, said a writ petition was filed in the High Court against the Vedanta company, wherein the Bicholim Deputy Collector was directed to process compensation claims of farmers.
“Not a single farmer has got a rupee till date. People are waiting for compensation. Around 170 farmers had complained, but they have not got solace. Even the government has failed to check the pollution taking place here,” Sawant said.
He said that officers are giving assurances, but nothing concrete is happening.
“I think these officials are under pressure as this constituency is represented by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant,” Sawant claimed.
