Team Herald
BICHOLIM: A compensation of Rs 65 lakh has been sanctioned to the farmers affected by the damage caused to their fields by various mining companies in Surla. This was informed by Deputy Collector Sachin Desai.
In 2004, farmers from Surla had filed a petition in the High Court against seven mining companies operating in village stating that their fields had been destroyed due to flow of mining rejects from the sites being operated by the companies.
In 2009, the court passed an order directing the mining companies to pay compensation to the farmers for the loss of agricultural lands and for causing pollution.
As per this verdict Rs 3.40 crore was sanctioned to around 761 farmers. Soon after the passing of the High Court order, the then Deputy Collector Arvind Bugde had disbursed Rs 16 lakh to 34 farmers after verifying the authenticity of their documents and the remaining amount was retained in the High Court. Today, that amount has risen to Rs 7.8950 crore.
Deputy Collector Sachin Desai informed that the farmers, who have completed the legal endorsement, have been paid Rs 65 lakh. He said that the remaining applications of the farmers are also in the process and they will be compensated once the process of checking the authenticity of documents is completed.
Meanwhile, the Deputy Collector has called upon the farmers to raise their objections if any within 30 days. He said if the objection is not raised the amount will be transferred to the farmers’ accounts.
