Parrikar, Sopte, Parsekar cry foul on illegal mines
BY A GT REPORTER
PANJIM: Illegal excavation of ore from Korgao mines in Pernem taluka and the illegally set up washing plant in the river bed figured in the House during the Question Hour yesterday.
Chief Minister Digambar Kamat promised to stop this activity at Korgao with immediate effect.
Pernem MLA Dayanand Sopte highlighted the irregularities in the mining activity at Korgao and was supported by opposition leader Manohar Parrikar and Mandrem MLA Laxmikant Parsekar.
After lodging a complaint against this activity in Korgao in November, Sopte said the Committee paid a visit to the site without informing the complainant -- the Korgao panchayat.
He was also irked over the non-submission of the report by the Committee's after its visit.
" The mine does not have a licence, it does not have permission from Mines Department and now the construction of huts is in progress. Yet, the Committee has taken no action," claimed Sopte.
According to Sopte, the mine owner claims that this mine is in his private property.
Parrikar stated that out of 42 mines inspected by the Committee, the Action Taken Reports(ATRs) in 30 matters relates to Departments like Wild Life, Forests and Water Resources.
Parrikar pointed out that the mining activity carried out in the forest areas, especially in mine no 20/51 at Maulinguem (Sanguem) in Mahavir Wild Life sanctuary and washing plant illegally set up in the river bed in Sanguem.
" The Director of Mines is the Member Secretary of this Committee.
In case he comes across an illegal mine, he still waits for the report of the Committee?," Parrikar asked the House.
Chief Minister Digambar Kamat informed that after the inspection, mining activity in Korgao was stopped. Parrikar took strong objection to this by categorically stating that the mining activity continues in Korgao.
It was at this stage that the Chief Minister rose to assure the House that this activity will be stopped with immediate effect.
