Mining rally threatens to stop Selaulim water supply

GOANEWS DESK, PANAJI | 18 December 2012 23:03 IST

People from mining belt affected due to stoppage of mining have threatened to stop water supply of Selaulim if legal mining is not started immediately.

Around five thousand mining affected people under the banner of Goa Mining People’s Front jammed the streets of the capital city Panaji on Tuesday morning.

Besides workers’ unions, four MLAs  of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party also attended the rally.

These included Subhash Faldesai from Sanguem, Ganesh Gaonkar from Sanvordem, Nilesh Cabral from Curchorem and Pramod Sawant from Sanquelim.

The rally started from the bus stand, went around the city and gathered at Azad Maidan for a public meeting.

People coming to the capital city had to face traffic jam on almost all the roads due to the rally during office time.

Besides demanding immediate resumption of legal mining, the rally also demanded a special Assembly session to debate upon the issue.

Various leaders also came down on the NGOs fighting illegal mining and demanded people-oriented affidavit from the Goa government before the Supreme Court.

The prime demand however was to restart legal mining immediately.

"State's economy too is in doldrums due to halt in the mining activity. The state government may not agree but they have no money in the coffers to spend for the public schemes," GMPF and labour union leader Christopher Fonseca said while addressing the rally.

He further demanded that the concerned agencies, including Supreme Court, should consider the humanitarian point of view while deciding on the issue.

"People are getting affected. We are not supporting illegal mining but we want sustainable mining," he said.

Several other leaders, representing truck association, barge (ship) association and elected representatives also addressed the rally.


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This rally should have been in front of the offices or residences of mine owners in Goa and not in Panjim at Azad Maidan.

Goa governmenn does not need to assist the mining affected people from the govt coffers. It is the mine owners, who are sitting over Rs. 35,000 crores, and they are the ones, who should pay compensation to these mining affected people. Government could help these people, by assisting or,taking steps to,recover these loot of 35000 crores and use these funds for rehabilation programme for these people.

Strange are the GOANS!

It is not the Adam admi of GOA who needs mining. It is the mining lobby who are behind these rallies, demanding commencement of mining, so that they could continue looting Goa forever.

- Ratikant, UAE | 22 nd December 2012 02:16

 

sangeeta naik , surla-velguem....Do not count your Chickens before they are hatched.

It has been reported that many of the Protesters are actually rich and well to do.

May have more wealth than the actually require to live.

Every Goan knows that the Miners have sponsored this protest.

There were 25,000 Truck owners that were screaming that their livelihoods were affected.

In the end only about 8000 registered for relief.

I am sure, of the protesters that staged a rally/protest, only about a half will qualify for any relief.

It will be interesting to see how many will register for relief.

It is well known that Freedom Fighters,migrants and many Government employees are still claiming for benefit schemes.

Only those that truly deserve assistance , should be given it.

The Miners that stole Rs 35,000 Crores/- must be made to pay for their illegalities.

when are protesters going to protest in front of the homes & Palaces of the Miners?

- N.Fernandes, London | 20 th December 2012 23:04

 

Congratulation!!!To All Mining affected people who took First step toward resumption of mining.Thanks to One n All who participated in rally.Lets show strength of our Unity."LET THIS SPIRIT BE THE SAME TILL V'LL GET JUSTICE"KEEP IT UP!!!Chalu karat Chalu karat Legal Mine Chalu Karat............Thank you all the people thank u very much.......

- sangeeta naik, surla-velguem | 19 th December 2012 23:20

 

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