Say Cong, BJP representatives sheltering operations
PANJIM, APRIL 16
Anti-mining groups in Goa on Friday alleged that iron ore worth Rs 5 crore has been transported from illegal mines in the last five days from Netraveli wildlife sanctuary and accused a Congress minister and a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) legislator of sheltering illegal mining operations in South Goa.
Addressing a press conference here Friday evening, representatives of Mines Affected People (GoaMAP), Gawda Kunbi Velip Dhangar (GAKUVED), Goenchea Xetkarancho Ekvott (GXE) alleged that Urban development minister Joaquim Alemao and BJP legislator from Sanguem Vasudev Meng Gaonkar, were abetting illegal mining activities in the Netravali wildlife sanctuary located nearly 20 kms from Margao.
“For last five days ore worth Rs 5 to 5 crore is transported from the leases in Netravali wildlife sanctuaries in Bati village,” Dilip Hegde, president, Goenchea Xetkarancho Ekvott (GXE), told reporters today.
He said that since April 12, more then 100 trucks loaded with ore are transported from the illegal mines everyday. “Daily 2,000 to 3,000 tones of ore is being shifted from the wildlife sanctuary area,” Hegde claimed.
GXE, a NGO, exposing the illegality has said that everyone right from Sarpanch to local BJP legislator Vasudeo Meng Gaonkar and even ministers in the cabinet like Joaquim Alemao are involved in this activity.
“This transportation is being carried out right under the noses of high authorities including the ministers, local MLA, police, forest and the mining authorities,” Hegde alleged.
“The violation is happening just two kilometers away from our local MLA’s house and he has not even come in support of the people who are opposing it,” Seby Rodrigues, an activist added. Villagers have been opposing the excesses committed due to open cast mining.
The NGO has petitioned almost all authorities including Chief Secretary Sanjay Srivastava, Mines secretary Raajiv Yaduvanshi, forest department, district administration and police but failed to get any assurance from these officials.
Interestingly, the NGO has demanded resignations of Mining Minister and chief minister Digambar Kamat, Forest Minister Philip Neri Rodrigues, and Environment minister Aleixo Sequeira.
“The illegal mining is in blatant violation of the order of the SC, who had banned all the mines in these areas,” Abhijit Prbhudessai, GXE activist said.
