People from Goa's mining belt today called upon the Chairman of the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPSB) Dr. Simon de Souza in Panjim to demand the cancellation of declared Public hearings for mining leases in the light of directions to this effect from the Union Ministry of Environment and Forest, New Delhi.
Delegation consisted of Rama Velip, Shamsunder Naik, Shankar Jog, Lancia Rodrigues, Dr. Claude Alvares of Goa Foundation, Nitin Tendulkar, Abhijit Prabhudesai of Goenchea Xetkarancho Ekvott and Sebastian Rodrigues.
The Chairman who was behaving adamant in this regard was accused of being indecisive, agreed to review the position of the Pollution Control Board within 24 hours. MoEF director Dr. P.L. Ahujarai was contacted over the phone on the occasion and she confirmed that it is the Chairman of Goa Pollution Control Board that has to act decisive and stop further Public Hearings of mining leases.
People from mining belt resolved to agitate in case Public Hearings are not canceled.
GSPCB cancelled all the public hearings inspite of they getting Rs.5 lakhs from mining companies for each public Hearings.
ReplyDeleteThe consulting firm ERM has been contracted by the Ministry of Mines to develop a Sustainable Development Framework for Mining (http://mines.gov.in/notice1.pdf). ERM has held a consultation in Goa, according to their website (http://www.sdfmining.info/?p=110)
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