PANJIM, FEB 2
Chief Minister Digambar Kamat on Wednesday assured action in the alleged hill cutting near Karai Salium and Ananwadi and continuous illegal extraction of sand at Kumbharwada in Nirankal, Shiroda.
Kamat was replying to a calling attention motion tabled by Shiroda MLA Mahadev Naik. He confirmed that the hill cutting was in progress near the panchayat ground at Karai Salium. “The area cut is approximately 25×25 mtrs with height of about 5 mtrs,” he informed.
However, he mentioned the hill cutting was adjacent to the panchayat playground. “Since there are some old cuttings in the area more time was required. Action will be taken after ascertaining the facts, he assured.
The chief minister said at Anandwadi no hill cutting was found and on inquiry with local people it was reported no such activity was carried out in the area. The matter needs more study, he stated.
Naik also tabled the issue of large-scale sand extraction and informed a road had been built to facilitate the same by damaging properties of residents. The CM in his reply stated one Pundalik Shetkar had applied for quarrying permit to extract 600 cubic metres of sand for six months and the same expired on August 31, 2008.
He said villagers had also complained against one S T Shekhar for extract sand illegally but nothing was found during the site inspection.
