Speaking to Herald, Cavrem panch member Ravindra Velip said that they will not allow transportation until their demands are met.
“We demanded that the transport contract be given to the co-operative society of the people or to a contractor who is a local resident. The local people affected by mining should get the benefits,” stated Velip.
According to Velip, in June 2014 locals had applied for co-operative society registration which was rejected by the government. Later they filed an appeal against the decision of the government Under Article 19 of the Constitution of India, in the Administrative Co-operative Tribunal, Panjim. The case will come up for hearing on February 29.
He further informed that Director of Mines and Geology has already issued transit permits to the bidder to transport 9,000 tonnes ore from the Cavrem mines. “The contractor has written a letter to the panchayat informing that the transportation of ore will commence from February 22 but it has not started till date,” informed Velip. He insisted that they will also not allow operations to begin till their demands are met.
“Copy of the resolution passed by our panchayat, stating our demand that the transportation should be given to the Co-operative Society of the local residents was submitted to the Director of Mines and Geology, South Goa Collector, Deputy Collector, Quepem, Quepem DySP, and Quepem Police Inspector, ” said Velip.
