>From John Fernandes Quepem
The Villagers of Morpirla , Betul, Fatorpa and Velim strongly objected the
expansion of Pravin Gosalias Shakti Bauxite Mine at a public hearing called by
the Goa Pollution Control board at Fatorpa today.
That inspite of giving just five days notice period which was published on
26th January around 1200 villagers from Betul, Fatorpa, Morpirla and Velim and
number of representatives NGOS attended the hearing which was presided over
by Addl. Collector Shri Prasana Acharya, Quepem Mamlatdar Sudin Nato and
Pollution control board representative Shri Zoglekar.
That the owner of the Shakti Bauxite Mine Shri Pravin Kumar Gosalia has
forwarded an application to the Goa Pollution control board to renew his
mining concession lease under T.C.No.4/NSD/BAUX which extends in five revenue
villages namely Betul, Fatorpa, Morpirla, Naqueri of Quepem taluka and Velim
village of Salcete taluka and the area covers around 826 hactors with a
intension to raise the Bauxite production from present 1 lakhs ton to 10
lakhs ton
The said mining concession lease extents in survey No.1,4,6 to 10,12 to 63,
96 to 105 of Betul Village, Sy.No.9,67 to 69 of Fatorpa Village, survey No.11
to 15 of Morpirla Village, Sy.No.1, 2, 48to 52 ,55,131,132,134 to 156 158 159
of Naqueri village, and sy.No.294,295,297,301,to309, 311 to326, 328 to 330
,339 to 341 ,344, 345,351,352 ,355 of Velim Village.
Opposing the extension of the mine and highlighting his objections Quepem MLA
Shri Kavlekar stated that that the present functioning of the Bauxite mine
which is limited to few hactors in Betul has done extensively damage to the
natural water resources, silted the fertile paddy field which resulted in
keeping the paddy field barren. That blasting carried out in the mine has
cause damage to the house of the villagers. He also brought to the notice of
the officer that not a singled condition laid done by the department at the
time of extension of the present lease in 1996 has been complied by the mine
owner which is expired in 1998. He further brought to the notice that the
environment impact assessment report presented by the mining company give a
false information stating that there are no ST Population in the area .
Shri Ulas Gaonkar a representative of Morpirla Bachao Samiti opposing the
Mine brought to the notice that there is no provision in law to grant renewal
of mining concession of lease for an area of 826 hector at one time which
can be at the most 100 hactors . He further stated that operation of the mine
will lead to diseases like Silicosi as stated in the Environment assessment
report. There is no provision of rehabilitation of the 48 affected families ,
it will destroy the religious ethos and culture of the tribal like worshiping
nature living in those areas. Further he has brought to the notice of the
officers that the mine will destroy the water shed management programe
introduce by the government in Morpirla village which has resulted in
increasing the water table .
Fondu velip an representative of Morpirla panchayat submitted a resolution to
the presiding officer passed by the panchayat opposing the mine. He further
stated that the different medicinal plant which are there in the proposed area
and their grazing ground will be destroyed.
Other who raised their objection include Balli ZP Member Subhash Fal Dessai,
Parish Priest of Canaguini panchayat, Sarpanch of Naqueri Betul Panchayat,
Ex-Sarpanch of Morpirla Panchayat Shri Kushali Velip , QMC Councillor Manuel
Colaso, John Fernandes.
Earlier seeing the unexpected crowed and before the arrival of the officials
those few particularly truck owner from the area and who were in favor of the
mine tied to obstruct the hearing in order to get it postpone. But their plan
failed and the hearing went on smoothly. Even those who initially talking in
favour of the mine could not dare to come forward to support the mine.
A strong police force consisting of around 30 police personal from Cuncolim,
Margao were deputed outside the venue in order to avoid any unto wards
incident.
@@@@@@@@@@@@
The Nuv Yuvak Sang of Quepem will be organizing the Carnival Flout
competition on 5th February.
An special committee headed by Quepem MLA Shri Chandrakant kavlekar has been
formed to orgnise the competition . The competition will start from Quepem
police station and will wide up in Quepem town. That the prizes of Rs.2 lakhs
will be awarded to the participants informed Kavlekar.
He further stated that as part of the Carnival around 20 places of Quepem
Constituency carnival plays will be shown.
---------------------------------
Looking for last minute shopping deals? Find them fast with Yahoo! Search.
