NGOs AND PROMINENT CITIZENS WANTS SPECIAL LOK PAL FOR MINING INDUSTRY

MARGAO: Various NGOs and prominent citizens met at the Grace Church in Margao and passed a resolution on the pending of the Lok Pal Bill.  They resolved that the government should pass an ordinance immediately and appoint a special Lok Pal for the mining industry, to investigate penal action against the mining mafia, politicians and the police nexus.

The also called for all the cabinet ministers, MLAs and political parties and their officials to publicly take an oath on the nature and the extent of their connection and interest in mining in general and in Cavrem in particular. They also demanded that an investigation be ordered as regards benami ownership of mining in Cavrem. The government should publish the list of illegal mines and the names of the operators and action taken by the government in this regard and action to be taken by the government to curb illegal mining.

The said list should include mines which have failed to obtain environment clearance and air and water pollution clearance, forest department, among others. The latest status report pertaining to different clearances should be made public by government and concern authorities, the speakers demanded.

They also demanded that the police and all those involved in the lathi charge and incarceration of the people of Cavrem, and on the attack on Mr Nilesh Goankar, be booked immediately.

One among the several speakers was Mr Nilesh, who mentioned that he was being offered money to call off the agitation. Mr Rajan Kerkar spoke on how the water sources would be destroyed by 2015. Mr R Karkokar of GRA said the Rs 18,000 crore, generated from mining every year, is made from illegal mining. Mr Javed Raza, general secretary of Janata Dal United extended his support to the fight against illegal mining. Mr Gurunath Kelkar of Marg and Mr Prakash Kamat, former president of Goa Union of Journalists, spoke on atrocities committed by the mining lobby. – NT