Allow sand extraction like illegal matka; Govt urged
GOANEWS DESK, PANAJI | 15 October 2013 20:22 IST
The government was today urged to allow sand extraction in spite of court ban, like how Matka is allowed by the government in spite of being illegal.
This demand came from Velim independent MLA Benjamin Silva during a lengthy debate that continued even after the lunch break in the Assembly today.
Several treasury and opposition members expressed their anguish over the ban imposed by the National Green Tribunal on sand extraction.
Though sand extraction is now illegal due to ban, Silva urged the government to allow it like “how you allow Matka though that is also illegal.”
Opposition leader Pratapsing Rane was the only legislator who spoke the full truth: “the construction industry is suffering since there is no sand available to construct buildings.”
However, most of the members were demanding solution to the problem, stating that “poor people are suffering.”
BJP’s Calangute MLA Michael Lobo was on the forefront, demanding that justice be made to the ‘poor’, who cannot construct or repair their houses since no sand is available.’
While there is ban, he revealed that he could procure sand at the rate of around Rs 3500 per cubic meter.
While transport officials have been stopping the sand trucks due to court order, Congress MLA Mauvin Godinho urged the government to ‘direct the RTO officials not to be overenthusiastic in stopping the sand-carrying vehicles.’
BJP MLA Dr Pramod Sawant said sand extraction should be allowed to avoid disilting of rivers.
He even demanded to take action against the NGO who complained about the sand extraction in Goa.
Chief minister Manohar Parrikar clarified that no Goa NGO had filed any complaint before the NGT regarding Goa’s sand extraction.
Dr Sawant instantly pushed forward another demand: “take action against the NGO who filed complaint against Goa’s illegal mining.”
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