Claude demands auction of leases & probe into mining Mafia

GOANEWS DESK, PANAJI | 26 February 2013 23:14 IST

Goa Foundation has urged the Supreme Court not to allow renewal of mining leases but to auction the leases as suggested by Justice Shah Commission.

Dr Claude Alvares has also demanded that the leases should not be handed over back to the same lease holders, who have created the mining scam.

On the contrary, he has urged the Supreme Court to order independent investigation into the criminal acts committed by the mining Mafia and the state government, to nab the culprits of a multi-crore mining scam.

Goa Foundation finally replied today to the affidavit filed by the Goa government, countering all the allegations made against the NGO as well as the Centrally Empowered Committee appointed by the Supreme Court.

Goa Foundation, in its reply, has listed out several actions Goa government has not taken to control the illegal mining, including charge sheets being not filed against mining officers involved in the mining scam.

He has also urged the court not to hand over the mines to the same Mafia and also not to renew the mining leases without competitive auction.

The reply quotes extensively major findings of three reports – Justice Shah Commission report, the CEC report as well as the report of the Public Accounts Committee, headed by today’s chief minister Manohar Parrikar.

In addition, the reply is also attached with summaries of 23 scientific studies, sponsored by the central government, the Goa government as well as ordered by the Bombay high court.

All these studies have proved how uncontrolled mining has completely damaged Goa’s fields, forests, water table as well as the ecological balance.

Goa Foundation has also countered Goa government’s attack on the CEC and their prayer to replace CEC with Justice Khandeparkar Committee, by quoting Chief Secretary’s letter written to the CEC on 27th November 2012.

The letter states: “The State government is thankful to Shah Commission for pointing out irregularities and making recommendations and also commends CEC for its valuable inputs, advice and suggestions and is willing to submit its acts for scrutiny by any agency the Honorable Supreme Court may decide to appoint or designate.”

Dr Alvares has further argued that the State government, in all fairness, should have also indicated that there is a larger section of Goa’s population – “the mining-affected people” – who have faced, without relief and recourse, the adverse and negative consequences of mining and for whom the stoppage of mining has brought tremendous relief.

“Their water bodies, agricultural lands, fisheries, tanks now have some respite. Streams and rivers are now clean again. State Government has not noticed that there is great happiness with this Court’s intervention in the towns of Sanguem, Quepem, Sanvordem and mining villages; that as per several news reports, villagers are happy to return to agricultural operations, that production of coconut and other crops, hitherto greatly diminished due to dust pollution, has again increased in all mining areas”, states the reply.

In fact Goa Foundation wonders why the state government has not even mentioned the gross environmental damage already suffered due to the collusion between the authorities and the influential, economically powerful miners.

“These environmental impacts are not unique, but have been a regular occurrence over three decades, documented by scientists and researchers”, states Dr Alvares.  


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Previous Comments

Mr Parrrikar is trying to fool Goans that ,his Government `s actions are more powefrul than those of the Supreme Court.

Mr Parrikar`s insistence, that the Khandeparkar Committee would be better than the Supreme Court appointed CEC is,another ploy to fool Goans.

For all intent & purpose, The Khandeparkar Committee is or will be heavily influenced by the Mining Lobby and the Goa Government.

By his actions Parrikar wants to save his own face.

By all accounts Goans will surely consider the Supreme Court as being fair & neutral.

On the other hand the Khandeparkar Committee will be viewed as untrustworthy.

Mr Parrikar should admit that both his own and the Congress Party,have failed miserably, in stemming the illegal Mining Operations in Goa.

Mr Parrikar is not known, to appoint people of intergrity or appropriate qualifications for some specialised & High Posts in Goa.

What is there to believe the Khandeparkar Committee will be any better.

Parrikars has proved that his 1st choice is always an ill-qualified "DUMMY" and one that will behave as his lap-dog.

It is well known that Judges in India/ Goa too, can be swayed to grant favours to to a litigant, provided the right amount of pressure is applied and there is a financial reward for their efforts.



- N.Fernandes, London | 27 th February 2013 00:18

 

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