http://www.epaperoheraldo.in/Details.aspx?id=1108&boxid=3321281&uid=&dat=8/11/2011
*‘ Stop mining’ order not sent to executing authorities: NGO* *TEAM HERALD teamherald@ herald- goa. com* PANJIM: Goa Foundation, a NGO, which has filed petition in the Bombay High Court at Goa against mines operating without ‘ water and air consent’, has said that the stop operation orders issued by Goa Pollution Control Board ( GSPCB) to various mines, has not been communicated to State Mines and Geology department and both the ports, leaving scope for continuation of mining operations despite notices to the contrary. Claude Alvares, Secretary, Goa Foundation, in the affidavit filed before the Bombay High Court at Goa has said that GSPCB’s affi- davit dated July 13, 2011 does not indicate that the stop work orders have been communicated to the department of mines, Mormugao Port Trust ( MPT) and Panjim Ports Authority so that illegal ore is not accepted or exported. “ Apparently the ports are accepting ore on the basis of information provided by Mines department. However, in view of the stop work orders issued by the Board, the information from the department of mines will be incorrect,” Alvares said in his affidavit. “ At any rate it is the consent to operate issued by the Board which is a better indicator of the legality of the mining operations, rather than the challans issued by the Directorate of Mines for royalty paid on the ore, whether legally or illegally extracted,” the affi- davit reads. Meanwhile, Goa Foundation has said that board has taken decision in the case of 16 mines as against 19 directed by the Court. The affidavit says that the Board has granted consent to operate two leases, rejected the application of one lease, issued directions to stop mining activity or not to carry out mining activity to four leases and directed suspension of operations ( after issuing consent to operate) to 9 leases, till they produce NOC from Chief Wildlife Warden or Forest Conservation act. It is only in the case of three mines no decision has been taken. “ The chart record says that these leases are the subject matter of PIL Writ Petition. However, the Board has not produced any orders of the Court to show that it has permitted these three mines to operate without having the mandatory consent to operate,” Alvares pointed out in the affidavit. “ The previous chart filed by the Board had disclosed that consents were not issued to these mines for want of compliance with the directions of the Board to implement certain measures recommended by NEERI,” Alvares contended. *Non- communication of ‘ stop mining’ order to State Mines and Geology department and both the ports, leaves scope for continuation of mining operations despite notices to the contrary.* -- Goa Foundation -- 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/
