Govt taken to task again on mining

PANJIM, MARCH 26
If two days ago, the State government came under criticism for its failure to control “illegal mining”,  today the opposition took on the government over “mining pollution” due to illegal roadside iron ore dumps.
 Responding to this, during Question Hour, Minister for Environment, Aleixo Sequeira, assured the house that he would order closure of or auction the abandoned ore dumps along the roads in the mining belt.
The opposition demanded that all illegal dumps be closed as ordered by the minister in Usgao
The  issue of illegal mining came to the fore as  Sanguem legislator Vasudev  Goankar pointed out how transportation of ore  in  the mining belt has raised pollution levels and demanded strict action against the polluters.
The minister told the house that the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) conducts inspection to verify compliance of conditions specified in  the consents for mining operations, relating to transportation of minerals being carried  out by mining units . However,  problems have been accentuated by illegal dumps, the minister said.
In Usgao , they have issued closure directions against such dumps even as “mother and father” of illegal dumps is known.  No permissions are taken while dumping ore, he said.
At this point, Speaker Pratapsing Rane suggested  that the government should auction those dumps as they are “illegitimate.”
“ It is your property , you auction it ,” said Rane further adding that unknown “mothers and fathers” would come to light on auctioning .
Opposition leader Manohar Parrikar , though , appreciating the action taken by environment minister in Usgao, pointed out that it has become hazardous to travel on roads that are used also for transportation of ore.
Parrikar told the House that he bought a new  car in view of  the hazardous road conditions in the mining belt and asked the minister to work out some solution — a stern action against violators.
However, Sequeira said his department has limited powers  and had to depend on other departments even as Chief Minister Digambar Kamat, who also holds the  mining portfolio, walked out of the house.
Parrikar also told the environment minister that he should discuss the issue with the chief minister and “then tell me if he doesn’t listen to you.”