http://www.oheraldo.in/news/Local%20News/Cops-directed-to-register-FIR-against-Deshprabhu/48034.html
Cops directed to register FIR against Deshprabhu HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, MAY 7:Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC) Pernem on Saturday directed Goa Police to register an FIR within 24 hours against the Nationalist Congress Party’s (NCP) National Secretary Jitendra Deshprabhu and other State department officials in the illegal mining scam. In February, activists Pradeep Kakodkar, Kashinath Shetye and Ketan Govekar had filed a police complaint, alleging that the NCP legislator and others cheated the State Government of Rs 50 crores. It may be recalled that Deshprabhu was fined Rs 1.72 crores for illegal mining of iron ore in Goa, according to documents sourced from the State Mining Department. Deshprabhu had claimed that while the land where illegal mining was being carried out was owned by him, he was not behind the mining operations. Mining Department officials had said that son of a senior Cabinet minister had been awarded the contract to extract the iron ore from the mining pit. The complaint letter had also named Director of Industries and Mines, Director of Transport, Chairman of Goa State Pollution Control Board, Chief Conservator of Forest Department and other officials from the respective departments and Korgao Village Panchayat of being involved in the illegal mining scam. Govt is not serious about curtailing illegal mining: Rajendra Kerkar http://www.oheraldo.in/news/Local%20News/Govt-is-not-serious-about-curtailing-illegal-mining-Rajendra-Kerkar/48029.html Are adequate efforts made by government to control illegal mining and its related activities in the State? Kerkar: Goa government is not serious and sincere to curtail illegal mining in Goa. It is rampant. The state mines department is kept under-staffed so that they cannot take quick action against illegal mining. If government is genuinely concern about growing illegal mining activities in the state, then there is need for some serious steps. What more should the government do? Kerkar: Those mines which are functioning without requisite permissions should be closed immediately. Department should be provided with trained staff. There is need for transparency in the functioning of the department as also the mines. Locals need to be taken into confidence before granting new leases. Fines and punishment should be implemented sincerely. Do you think that controlling truck movement will help to ease illegal mining in the State? Kerkar: To some extent it will definitely help, as the entire illegal mining depends upon excess extraction and overloading. The government agencies need to monitor the movement of these trucks very carefully. Every driver needs to be provided with valid identity proof along with details such as for which mine he is working or fleet owners’s/company’s name. Are there attempts made by government or mining firms to suppress anti-mining movements of locals in Sattari? Kerkar: There are some politicians, vested interest and officials involved in mining. In Sattari, attempts are made to suppress the anti-mining movement with the help of police and other concerned officials of forests department. In Ambeli, permission for digging tank was used for illegal mining, which continued for 2 years. It was patronized by the local politician in Gavane. Also illegal mining continued without obtaining necessary forest clearance. Has illegal mining been affecting Goa’s wildlife sanctuaries? What according to you should be buffer zone between sanctuaries and mines? Kerkar: Illegal mining has been affecting Goa’s wildlife sanctuaries, since long. In 2003 central ministry had given directives to stop mining inside the sanctuaries. However, even after notification, illegal mining continued. It is mockery that head of the forests department has agreed not to keep buffer zone for sanctuaries even of 1metre. Man-animal conflicts have increased in areas near sanctuaries. It is the need of the hour that government should maintain the buffer zone of 3 kms. What consequences do you foresee in state, if mining continues at this pace? Kerkar: If mining continues, at this pace, Goa will turn into an unproductive desert. There will be grave shortage of drinking water. Increased pollution will make fresh oxygen scarce. Life expectancy of every Goan will decline. -- Please post your comments on my Blog: http://goanidentity.blogspot.com/ Please also see below: 1. Benaulim Village Action Committee: http://www.bvacbenaulim.blogspot.com/ 2. "Rape of Goa" : http://www.parrikar.com/blog/the-rape-of-goa/ 3. MAND - an adivasi-rights resource centre : http://mandgoa.blogspot.com/ 4. EVERY GOAN SHOULD SEE THIS VIDEO: http://infochangeindia.org/Infochange-documentary.html 5. Goa's Identity Movement group on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com//#/group.php?gid=193497031686 6. Official Government Site NRI Office (GOA): http://www.globalgoans.org.in/ -- Please post your comments on my Blog: http://goanidentity.blogspot.com/ Please also see below: 1. Benaulim Village Action Committee: http://www.bvacbenaulim.blogspot.com/ 2. "Rape of Goa" : http://www.parrikar.com/blog/the-rape-of-goa/ 3. MAND - an adivasi-rights resource centre : http://mandgoa.blogspot.com/ 4. EVERY GOAN SHOULD SEE THIS VIDEO: http://infochangeindia.org/Infochange-documentary.html 5. Goa's Identity Movement group on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com//#/group.php?gid=193497031686 6. Official Government Site NRI Office (GOA): http://www.globalgoans.org.in/
