CM pledges mining corridor for Pale
HERALD CORRESPONDENT
MAYEM, JAN 14
Chief Minister Digambar Kamat on Friday assured residents of Pale that he would create a separate mining corridor for ore transportation to solve their ongoing problem of dust pollution.
Kamat was addressing the villagers of Pale constituency at a function at Navelim after inaugurating different development projects in Pale constituency. Speaker Pratapsingh Rane, MLA Pratap Gawas, Pale ZP member Laxmikant Parab, Sarpanch Pandhari Gawas, Sesa Goa Officer Mahesh Patil, G P Kamat and Mutte were present on the occasion.
Speaking further, Kamat said a survey to create a separate mining corridor had already started.
“The State government will take due efforts to reduce the gap between the rich and the poor, which is existing since the last many decades. The government will work hard to uplift the poorer sections in society,” said Kamat.
Kamat also lauded the efforts of Pratapsing Rane towards the development of Sattari taluka.
He assured to take care of the local lands from going into the custody of non-Goans and foreigners, to preserve and maintain the natural heritage of Goa.
Kamat called upon MLA Gawas to work hard to retain the stronghold of Congress.
“The party is ever ready to extend its invaluable co-operation in this regard,” he added.
“The government will pass a new bill soon, according to which 26% share of the mining income will have to be utilized for the development of the mining-affected village,” he said and also called upon mine owners to extend their wholehearted co-operation in this regard.
Speaking on the occasion, Speaker Rane stated that a major share of mining income goes to the Central government, even as mining industry has stronghold in Goa.
“Time has come to have proper appropriation of income in which mining company like Sesa Goa will have to utilize its 50% income to uplift the mining-affected village,” said Rane.
He assured to take due efforts to provide more facilities to the people from the mining area.
MLA Pratap Gawas demanded the government should make a provision of Rs 100 crore to develop Pale constituency, especially as mining revenue is being generated from these villages.
On the occasion, 16 farmers from Pale were felicitated by Kamat. Earlier, Mahesh Patil welcomed the gathering.
On the occasion, Chief Minister Kamat inspected the under construction Ravindra Bhavan Complex at Sanquelim, followed by inauguration of newly constructed roads and commencing of work of new bridges at Harvalem, Surla and Velguem.
Kamat also laid the foundation stone for the upcoming sports complex at Navelim followed by commencement of road widening work at Velguem.
He later inaugurated the newly formed Vividha Farmers Club at Navelim.
Deputy Collector Narayan Gad, Mamlatdar Pramod Bhat, police officers, senior engineers, panch members and sarpanchas accompanied the chief minister.
