It is reported that CM has sought Rs 125 crores from the centre to remove River
Princess. Why should people bear the liabilities of a private vessel,
especially when it was used to mint windfall gains for miners?
Salgaokar Mining profits are not known because it is family owned firm. But,
latest quarter net profit of Sesa was Rs 1300 cr. This is actually two-month
profit since there are almost no exports in June being monsoon. On this basis,
Sesa is slated to profit Rs. 5000 to 6000 cr for the full year. The profits of
Goan Mining Sector therefore could be Rs 15000 crore.
Considering this, Rs 125 crore is mere three day profits of miners
collectively. Can’t CM force Salgaokar or his co-miners to bear this? Why
should public exchequer bear it?
What steps did CM take to prevent such occurrences in future? What remedy does
government have if another ship or barge meets similar fate?
Each miner insures his vessel and recovers his loss if it gets grounded. But
they do not insure for public/third-party/environmental loss. Why does CM not
pass legislation to make it mandatory for miners to insure such public losses?
Rajendra Kakodkar
* * *
Was life in the *kudds* glamourised? Who said, "It appears that the Goanese
(sic) are a roving people, prepared to go to any part of the world for
well-paid employment"? How did Goans find their first toehold in the Gulf? Find
your answers in Selma
Carvalho's *Into the Goan Diaspora Wilderness*. Buy from
Broadways Book Centre, Panjim [Ph +91-9822488564] Price (in
Goa only) Rs 295. http://selmacarvalho.squarespace.com/
* * *
