Team Herald
BICHOLIM: The villagers of Mayem on Sunday alleged that M/s Vedanta mining company had neglected to compensate farmers whose fields had been affected by mining activities and coal transportation since 2013.
They demanded that the company compensate the farmers promptly, warning that they would begin an agitation if their demands were not met.
The farmers have united under the banner of the All India Kisan Sabha. Krishna Gadekar, a villager, told reporters that the compensation amount had been pending since 2013. He added that the fight against mining activities began in 2007, and after an inspection, it was found that fields and other plantations had been affected by the mining operations.
“The Bicholim taluka Mamlatdar had also ordered the mining company to provide compensation to the affected farmers,” Gadekar said.
In response to the Mayem villagers' demands, the company clarified that compensation dues for the period from 2010 to 2013, relating to stakeholders, pertained to Sesa Mining Corporation Ltd (SMCL). According to the company, these dues were fully paid to the Mayem farmers, and there were no pending dues against SMCL, as mining operations had ceased in 2013.
The company further stated that Vedanta Ltd commenced operations at the Bicholim Mining Block-I in April 2024. It confirmed that no mining-related compensation dues were outstanding for Mayem farmers under its current operations.