Team Herald
MARGAO: Former Nuvem MLA Mickky Pacheco slammed the government for its decision to grant an extension to the mining leases. “Everyone should benefit from Goa’s mines, not just 12 companies,” he said.
He stated that the government should recover Rs 35,000 crore from the illegal mining activities. He threatened that if the government doesn’t do it, he would file a petition in the Supreme Court.
He demanded formation of mining cooperatives for every lease area where every villager from the mining area is a member. “If this is done every villager will benefit and even Goans across the state will benefit,” he said.
He questioned whether the government had taken Goans into confidence before making the decision of extending the lease period by another 36 years.
He also condemned Pratapsingh Rane for criticising Goans working abroad.
He said that Rane has no right to criticize overseas Goans for opposing mining, by saying that they go abroad to clean toilets.
He further stated that Rane is responsible for creating a situation where people are forced to go abroad to earn their living.
Mickky challenged Girish to either expel Rane for making these comments or else Girish should step down from the post of President of GPCC. Mickky stated that he has sent more people abroad than the jobs created by Rane in Goa and he blamed Congress for filing cases against him and stopping his business.
He reminded that in 2014, the BJP had filed a SIT case against Pratapsingh Rane and Vishwajeet Rane for demanding 10 crore from one Balchandra. “What has happened to the case,” he questioned.
With regards to the FDA inspections being carried out at the two border check posts, he stated that a minimum of 100 trucks arrives at the border. “Are the FDA officers doing a double shift or has the FDA outsourced the inspection?” he questioned raising doubts over the manner in which the inspection is conducted.
He claimed that there is a conspiracy to kill Goans. “The FDA has to also check fruits and vegetables since they too are dipped in chemicals,” he said. He requested that all the fruits, vegetables and fish importers and vendors have to be given an ID card so that customers can identify the people from whom they buy the food items.
Speaking on the Transfer of Development Rights (TDRs), Mickky stated that a study is required on the TDR bill and it has to be sent to the panchayats for suggestions and objections. “The Bill allows any land even a water body to be converted,” he said. He stated that all the land along the seashore is no longer owned by Goans as it has been purchased by outsiders. “The CRZ notification and TDR will strip Goa. These laws are brought in to destroy the coast.” He requested all the citizens and panchayats to submit their suggestions to the Governor and also requested that the Governor not to give her assent to the TDR Amendments.
He took a dig at Churchill for using Colva Church as an excuse for supporting TDR amendments. “Why were you quite on CRZ and Mopa issues when they were discussed in the Assembly,” he questioned Churchill.
