TEAM HERALD
PANJIM: Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar on Wednesday stated that the judiciary (Supreme Court) cannot take a permanent decision on the iron ore cap for mining in Goa, since this can only be done through necessary amendments to the Mineral Act or Environment Act.
Ahead of the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections, Parrikar has assured to get reviewed (if the BJP government comes to power at the Centre) two reports on Western Ghats approved by the UPA II government, that have brought over 40 per cent of Goa’s land under the eco sensitive zone, thereby banning mining and other developmental works. BJP has also assured to get reviewed the notification on buffer zone that has provided a severe jolt to the mining lobby, as it bans mining within one km zone with immediate effect. There are total 23 mines within the 1 km radius.
Parrikar, accused the Congress-led UPA government of providing step motherly treatment to his BJP government in Goa and accused the state Congress unit for making false propaganda on the mining issue to lure voters.
Addressing media persons Wednesday morning, Parrikar said that the report submitted by the Supreme Court panel suggesting a cap of 20 to 27 million tons annually, is just an interim report and not accepted by the Court so far. “In principle I do not agree that such kind (capping) of decision be taken by judiciary… (Central) Government has the power to amend the mineral act or environment act,” he said.
“I do not agree that a permanent solution to such issues can be dealt by judiciary…judiciary can give temporary solution,” he added. Chief Minister said that the study on capping requires a year-long study keeping in mind three parameters- ecology, transportation and inter-generational equity.
Further, chief minister said that the Kasturirangan report and the Western Ghat ecological expert panel report which he claimed is detrimental to the future development of the state and a notification by Union Ministry of Environment and Forest (MoEF) banning mining within one kilometre of wildlife sanctuaries would be reviewed (if BJP government comes to power).
“These reports unleashed by Congress-led government without any reasoning and consultation with the state are detrimental to Goa’s welfare,” he claimed adding Kasturiragan report declares 109 villages in Goa as being part of the eco-sensitive zone where any kind of commercial activity would require Environment Clearance from the MoEF.
Parrikar said that the State government will not accept the report which is “highly unconstitutional” and “deprives the rights of the state government to rule.” He said that entire mining industry will have to be shut down, if the report is implemented. Parrikar termed the report as a ‘light study’ conducted by the members in two-three sittings without any scientific basis.
The Chief Minister said that the Congress’ South Goa candidate (Alexio Reginaldo), who is busy making false propaganda accusing BJP of putting ban on mining, needs to answer the questions related to all these reports and notifications. “We had put ban on mining with a view to take review of mines one by one and restart them. But then came suspension of ECs. So now even if Supreme Court allows mining, State cannot restart it without ECs,” he said.
The chief minister also claimed that the Justice M B Shah Commission report on illegal mining in Goa was kept under wrap by Union Ministry during the assembly elections to ensure that it does not have impact on Congress. “The report was tabled before the election…it was not been released…they tabled it in the Parliament only after BJP came to power (in Goa)…they wanted to trouble us,” he claimed.
