Team Herald
PONDA: Condemning Claude Alvares of Goa Foundation for “delaying restarting of mining in Goa by six weeks,” the Goa Mining People’s Front (GMPF) has demanded that the government to conduct an investigation into the source of his income for fighting cases and meeting the expenses of travelling to Delhi.
Addressing a press conference here, GMPF President Puti Gaonkar said that the State and Central governments have given their consent in Supreme Court (SC) for extending the existing mining leases till 2037, however, Goa Foundation filed an intervention petition in the Supreme Court thereby delayed restarting of mining in Goa by six weeks.
Welcoming the latest stand of State and Central governments on the mining issue, he said, “We were hoping for an interim relief from SC on February 10 for restarting mining in Goa. But when the matter came up for hearing on February 10, an intervention petition was filed by Goa Foundation Advocate Prashant Bhushan. Following this, the matter has been adjourned for six week,” Gaonkar complained.
Strongly condemning Alvares for filing the intervention petition, Gaonkar demanded that “Alvares should make his stand clear whether he is fighting for his vested interest or for the interest of the people of Goa.”
Alleging that Alvares fights only those cases that have high financial stake, the GMPF president questioned, “Why he is only after mining and not taking up issues like Mhadei River diversion,” and answered the question himself saying, “Alvares is not taking up the Mhadei issue, because there is no other party except the government.”
Questioning the sincerity of Alvares in fighting for the people of Goa, Gaonkar asked, “If he really cares for Goa, then, why he failed to give justice to three lakh mining dependents who have lost their livelihood due to mining closure.”
