Politician Promise

PANAJI: The Chief Minister, Mr Digambar Kamat informed the state legislative assembly on Tuesday that the mining policy would be finalised after taking the members of the House into confidence by the government. He also assured that the interest of the people of the state would be taken into consideration while finalising the policy.
Responding to the queries raised by the members of the House and the points raised by the opposition members in their motions, the Chief Minister said that his government would not be giving permission for any new mining lease till the mining policy was finalised, even as he reiterated his government’s resolve not to allow illegal mining in any part of the state.
He also informed the House that the authorities have already filed one case for prosecution, while another case was being readied for prosecution of those indulging in illegal mining activities. He went on to inform that the government would not allow operations of mines at Dhavem in Sattari taluka and that a high-powered panel has been appointed to study the cases of illegal mining and take action against them.
Mr Kamat also informed the House that there has been spurt in the number of ore traders in the state and the government on taking cognisance of their rising number has ordered registrations of all the traders and so far 264 traders have been registered with the government.
As regards to people continuing to operate mines even after expiry of their leases, he said that if any operator applies for renewal of licence before the expiry of the lease he could continue to operate the lease till the appropriate authorities decide on the application or till the application was rejected.
Replying to another issue on the miners getting permission through
“dubious” means, the Chief Minister said that he has already taken up the issue with the Union Environment Minister, Mr Jairam Ramesh, and that he has promised to right the wrongs. He also informed the House that no mines were operational at Korgao in Pernem taluka.
Mr Kamat also said that commercial tax and excise departments performed well and exceeded their set target for revenue collection last year and even in the current financial year they have done well, despite recession hitting the economies all over.
Responding to queries on industries, he said that high-powered co-ordination committee has approved 58 projects that would give employment to 6,697 people. He also informed the House that no case of subsidy was pending before the government. He observed   that the thrust of his government was to promote micro and small industries. He also said the government would consider the request of the industrialists for extension of NVP.
The Chief Minister also said that Goa State Infrastructure Development Corporation has taken up 21 projects since he assumed office about two years back and that he has decided to get only few approved projects executed by the agency.
Earlier, the members of the House, cutting across party lines, urged the government to take action against illegal mining and ensure that the mine owners compensate for environment degradation and also take up infrastructure works like roads, bypasses in mining areas as well as passing through the villages and towns in the state.
The leader of the opposition, Mr Manohar Parrikar told the House that the main cause for many of the problems relating to mining was non-implementation of the rules to regulate mining activity. He said that haphazard mining was the cause for many ills facing the state, including destruction of ecology, health problems, shortage of drinking water, silting of farmlands etc.
Welcoming the announcement of construction of Dona-Paula-Vasco sea link, Mr Parrikar said that there should be proper alignment so as to link the new route with national highway, which he said would facilitate container traffic. He, however, told the government to have proper thinking about the project.
Participating in discussion on demands, Mr Francisco D’Souza told the House that government should enforce the rules to ensure that mine owners worked for conservation of nature, while Mr Dayanand Narvekar said that mine owners were running a parallel economy and should be taxed more. The funds collected should be used for infrastructure development, he said. He also demanded action against those involved in hill cutting.
Mr Chandrakant Kavlekar wanted the government to find solution to overloading of trucks carrying mineral ores. Mr Anil Salgaonkar informed the House that mining companies were ready to shoulder their responsibility in creating infrastructure in the state. Mr Dayanand Sopte demanded that the government should give more funds to Goa Antibiotics and Pharmaceuticals Ltd.
Stating that GSIDC was overburdened with projects, Mr Damodar Naik wanted to know whether the special purpose vehicle would complete the works entrusted to it in view of resource crunch. Mr Nilkhant Halarnkar wanted the government to rethink on allowing mining activity in Revora-Nadora. Mr Pandurang Madkaikar questioned the government over reduction in funds under tribal sub-plan.
Mr Rajesh Patnekar demanded a Ravindra Bhavan in Bicholim, while Ms Victoria Fernandes urged the government to make a strong case for more central funds and setting of small-scale industries so as to provide employment to the unemployed youth. Mr Shyam Satardekar demanded a by-pass in his constituency saying that mining trucks were not only causing traffic jams but also pollution there.
Mr Mauvin Godinho urged the government to make mine owners “willing” partners in state’s development even as he said that new industries should come to Goa and urged the government to get tax holiday so as to encourage entrepreneurs to come to the state.
Others who participated in the discussion included Mr Dilip Parulekar, Mr Vijay Pai Khot, Mr Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco, Mr Mahadev Naik, Mr Pratap Gawas, Mr Vasudev Gaonkar, Mr Pandurang Dhavlikar, Mr Milind Naik and Mr Anand Shet.

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