Church urges CM to recover Rs 30 K Cr & run mines

GOANEWS DESK, PANAJI | 12 May 2014 23:00 IST

The Goa Church, through its social organization – Council for Social Justice and Peace – has urged chief minister Manohar Parrikar to recover Rs 30,000 crore from the mine owners in five years and constitute a Public Sector Undertaking to operate all the mines in future.

In a letter written to Parrikar, CSJP executive secretary Fr Savio Fernandes has made several demands as follows:

The Council for Social Justice and Peace rejoices at the recent verdict of the Supreme Court on the mining activity in Goa. The Council appreciates the efforts of Civil Society Groups who have consistently and courageously addressed the issue of rampant illegal mining in this State. Their reward is this landmark and historic judgement that vindicates their over a decade long persistent struggle along with the victims of mining.  The nexus between the Government and those operating mining and the use of State machinery to suppress the fundamental rights of the victims of mining is adequately exposed. This Order of the Supreme Court has strengthened the hope in the Justice Systems of this Country and ensures a new lease of life to Goa’s devastated geographically important land.

In this context, please permit this Council to place before the Government of Goa some relevant points arising from the Judgement of the Supreme Court of India in the Goa Mining Case which justly demand necessary actions by the Goa Government in public interest:

1. The Order of the Supreme Court has acknowledged that all mining after 22.11.2007 stands illegal. In this context, it needs to be accepted that the present Goa Government, on being installed under Oath, assumes all responsibility of Governance as the position and condition stands, whoever may have governed. Hence, before issuing Suspension Orders, this Government should have taken note of the illegality of mining leases since 22.11.2007.  This is a gross failure in Governance.

Hence justice demands that the Government of Goa initiate legal action against all those who committed this fraud of illegal mining and recover from them over Rs 30,000 crore during the five years, since the ore was illegally mined, as also around 35,000 crore earned on mining outside the lease areas (Shah Commission findings).  Political Parties who have accepted funding from such Mining Companies during the said period are morally bound to deposit in the State treasury all this money.

2. The Verdict of the Supreme Court has also exposed that the Goa Government did not monitor the functioning of the Goa State Pollution Control Board who miserably failed in their duty to ensure that environmental safety standards were adhered to by the lessees and allowed them to violate the Air and Water Acts with impunity.

This unjust situation demands that an inquiry be instituted by the State Government to identify those Officers who are guilty of dereliction of duty and that disciplinary proceedings be initiated against them and brought to a logical conclusion.

3. Now that the people’s protest against illegal mining stands vindicated by the Highest Court in the Country, the Goa Government should withdraw all cases from all Courts against these activists, which are pending at various stages. The Goa Government should also tender an apology to the citizens of Goa, especially those victimized, for its failure in safeguarding the public interests of the State by conniving with all the lessees and must also adequately compensate the losses caused to all the victims of mining.

4. The Council is also distressed at the attitude of the Goa Governments that have only lobbied and defended the interests of the ‘Mining Lobby’ instead of defending the larger interests of the directly affected people and of the entire State. As rightly reflected in the arguments in the Supreme Court, the approach of Governments in protecting the livelihood interests of a favoured section cannot be the license for violating the Right to Life of Citizens.

5. Considering the fact that all mining leases in the State have been declared illegal by the Supreme Court, it is due time for the Goa Government to prepare an authentic Regional Plan for Goa in which the area and extent of such activities like mining are clearly demarcated.

6. In the interest of the Goa State, this Council is of the opinion that the Goa Government constitute a Public Sector Undertaking to operate all mining activities in the future, utilizing the existing machinery and trucks that are owned by the concerned citizens. The establishment of this Unit must ensure the minimisation of illegalities and corruption, maximization of Revenue to the State and will ascertain the protection of the Environment and Ecology.

Sir, this Council urges you, the Chief Minister of the Government of Goa to pay personal attention to the grievances and needs of the Citizens and take urgent effective measures to remedy the situation. 


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Previous Comments

Goa Church Should Fight For The Rights Of The Goans. This Is One Of The Service, Which Church Should Give To Their Followers. Goa Church Should Ask Goa Government To Pass Swaraj Act, So That Natural Resources Income Can Come In The Hands Of Goans. Nobody Will Remain Poor, Nobody Will Be Hungry, Only Peace.

- Jose Rod, Goa | 14 th May 2014 14:57

 

I am not so sure that the current Goa Government, is keen on recovering the illegal Mining loot.



Mr Parrikar "talks big, acts small".

His " Trumpet" can only blow loud ,when out of power and gets muzzled when in power.



We must remember that the BJP along with the Congress Party have been not only abettors, but beneficiaries of the Mining loot.

Both Party`s have been receiving donations from the Mining Barons & lobbies.

There is a appropriate quote: "Never chop the hands that feed you"!!



- N.Fernandes, London | 14 th May 2014 11:57

 

Goans Must Demand To Pass Swaraj Act, So That Mining Income Can Come In The Hands Of Goans.

- Jose Rod, Goa | 13 th May 2014 13:24

 

To Clean Up Mining Mess, Swaraj Act Is A Must. SWARAJ (Power In The Hands Of The People). Decision As Per Survey (Majority Voice). No Interference Of Politicians And Of Political Pressure In Implementing Any People Related Laws, Schemes, Etc. Development Funds In The Hands Of The People And Not In The Hands Of The Ministers/MPs/MLAs.

- Jose Rod, Goa | 13 th May 2014 13:24

 

Congress and BJP Are Enemy In Front Of Public. But In Reality They Are One. Both Are Corrupt Parties. Their Hidden Agenda Is Mopa Airport and Illegal Mining. AAP Is The Only Hope.

- Jose Rod, Goa | 13 th May 2014 13:24

 

AAP Should Demand, First Recover 35 Thousand Corers And Then Re-Start Mining. Mining Income Must Go In The Hands Of Goans Through Swaraj Act.

- Jose Rod, Goa | 13 th May 2014 13:23

 

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