Cavrem tense due to mining

Tension went high in Cavrem on Monday 22/11/2010 morning as the management of Devapan Dongor Mine operated by one Shaik Salim did not comply with the assurance given to pollution control at the hearing held on 19/11/2010.

That the villagers of Cavrem claims that the Shaik Salim Mine at Cavrem Quepem is operating sans permission from the pollution control broad to operate. Presently the hearing in respect of the said mine is under process before the Goa Pollution control board. It is learnt that at the last date of hearing held on 19/11/2010 the management of the mine has given an assurance to the officials of Goa Pollution control board that they will not start the motor to pump water, will not start the plant and will use machinery only to make road and put the rejection dump in order. However the villagers claimed that in violation of the said assurances given to the Pollution control board the management operated the mine and pump water.

The non compliance of assurances given to the Pollution control board irritated the villagers so on Monday morning at around 7.00 AM around 150 villagers gathered at the gate of the mine to high light the issue. That meanwhile the police got the information and immediately two jeep load of police from Quepem Police station headed by PSI Rahul Damsheker rushed to the site to maintain law and order. The villagers remain outside the gate of the mine till 1.00PM after which they disperse. That as soon as the villagers disperse the police also returned back. No untoward incident has been reported. However Cavrem seems to be tense due to the operation of Devapan Dongor mine. The villagers are determined not to allow the mine to operate.

Yesterday 25/11/2010 morning group of hundred villagers met Chief Minister Digambar Kamat at his Margao residence and asked him to close down the Sheikh Saalim mine in their village.

Mining trucks defy High Court order

Defying High Court order which laid the timing for mining truck as 8.00AM to 6.00PM the mining truck operating via Tilamol quepem side on thursday continued even beyond 8.00PM night thereby causing traffic jam and causing inconvenience to the general public. This is about today.

Yesterday at 11.30 am, Zambaulim to Tilamol, some of the trucks overloaded with iron ore stopped one side of the road, at that time counted 221 trucks within half an hour. Each truck loaded 3 trips per day.

Illegal pumping of water from Cavrem Sheikh Salim mine

This is a blatant case of illegal mining. These pictures shows the damage this mine has caused to Hills and ground water in Cavrem, Quepem, Goa.

Cavrem people's march on the mine, police stop

On November 22 tribal people of Cavrem, Quepem marched on Sheikh Salim mine that is operating illegally in the village disrupting their water sources. Goa Police came to protect the mining company. Here are two pictures from the protest.

Cavrem mining disrupts water flow

Cavrem mining in Goa's Quepem taluka disrupts traditional water ways. Adivasi people suffer. This is an edited picture pointing out dumps and nallah (water path).

GOAMAP demands termination of Bandekar mining lease in Sirgao

Goa Federation of Mines Affected People (GOAMAP) demands immediate termination of mining lease 04/1949 belonging to Bandekar in Sirgao village of Bicholim taluka.

GOAMAP condemns the decision of Goa Government to renew this mining lease for another 20 years in a gazette notification issue on 10^th November 2010. GOAMAP considers this mining renewal as an insult to those Sirgao village that is already facing acute water shortages and siltation of paddy fields.

Goa government has included settlement zones - local houses, agricultural fields, water springs, village temples and community places of famous Sirgao Zatra’s venue for its Omkhand in the mining renewal lease of Bandekar.

Villagers of Sirgao has been protesting damage done to their village over the past few years and Goa government instead of lessening their burden has acted in a manner to wipe out Sirgao from the Map of the Planet. Goa’s Mines Minister who is also the Chief Minister - Digambar Kamat - has no right whatsoever to this. His action has once again proved that he is an enemy of Bhahujan Samaj and ecology of Goa.

Cavrem letter to GSPCB on illegal mining

CAUREM ADIVASI BACHAO SAMITI

c/o. Nilesh Gaonkar,

Gaonkarwada, Caurem,

Quepem taluka, Goa

REF NO. 21/10 Date: 24^th November 2010

To

The Member Secretary,

The Goa State Pollution Control Board,

Dempo Towers, 1^st Floor,

Patto Plaza,

Panaji, Goa

Sub: REQUEST FOR URGENT ORDER STOPPING ILLEGAL MINING AT DEVAPAN DONGOR MINE, TC 01/51, CAUREM VILLAGE, QUEPEM TALUKA

Dear Sir,

We, the members of the Caurem Adivasi Bachao Samiti, living in the Caurem village of the Quepem Taluka, request your immediate intervention to save our village from illegal mining at the subject mine, and the disastrous effects of pollution due to it.

We wish to thank you for the opportunity given to us to attend the hearing held regarding the renewal of the Consent to Operate of the subject mine in the office of the Chairman of the GSPCB on 19^th November 2010. However, we are greatly distressed by the fact that in spite of assurances given by the mining company's representatives during the hearing that no mining or dewatering is being carried out at the mine, the mining company has continued its dewatering and mining activities. In fact, they have accelerated their excavations and internal transportation activities after the hearing and have engaged a number of excavators and dozens of trucks in contravention of their commitments to you. They are also pumping out huge quantities of water from the mining pit at nights, thereby causing siltation and pollution of our water ways and paddy fields.

We therefore request you to kindly pass an Order stopping the dewatering and mining activities in the said mine until they obtain the Consent to Operate. Please also give directions to the executive to ensure that the mining company is stopped physically from carrying out mining activities, since they are showing blatant contempt for the law and for their own representations.

We are determined to save our village from any further destruction and shall greatly appreciate your support and co-operation in stopping the illegal mining activities and the irreversible polution of our surface and ground water resources, and for upholding the Law and our Constitution.

Thanking you,

Yours sincerely,

Sd/-

Tulshidas Velip

Secretary

Cavrem letter to Indian Bureau of Mines on illegal mining

CAUREM ADIVASI BACHAO SAMITI

c/o. Nilesh Gaonkar,

Gaonkarwada, Caurem,

Quepem taluka, Goa

REF NO. 23/10 Date: 24^th November 2010

To

The Indian Burean of Mines,

Fatorda, Margao, Goa

Sub: REQUEST FOR URGENT ACTION TO STOP ILLEGAL MINING OPERATIONS AT 'DEVAPAN MINE', TC 01/51, CAUREM VILLAGE, QUEPEM TALUKA

REF: 1) Our earlier letter to you dated 31^st August 2010

2) Our earlier letter to you dated 12^th October 2010, received by you on 25^th October 2010

Dear Sir,

We, the members of the Caurem Adivasi Bachao Samiti, living in the Caurem village of the Quepem Taluka, request your immediate intervention to stop the mining and dewatering operations going on at the 'Devapan' mine, TC 01/51, Caurem village, Quepem taluka. In addition to the grounds stated in our earlier letters referenced above, we bring to your attention the following violations by the ongoing activities at the said mine.

1. Destruction of ground water aquifer and springs: 'Devapan' literally translates as 'God's sacred grove', signifiying the exceptional significance of the life giving ecological wealth of this hill. This hill has some of the most exceptional aquifers in Goa and is the origin of numerous perennial springs, including major ones called 'Paikachi Zor', Khaspurus Zor', 'Talyepat Zor', 'Bulmeachi Zor', 'Khuteachi Zor Ghogho', 'Mestan Zor', 'Gaunkaran Zor', 'Vanvshan Zor' and 'Gallachi Zor'.The present mining pit has already gone deep into the ground much below the permitted levels, and has burst one water aquifer, thereby destroying its integrity, the water quality and quantity, which is serious violation of the conditions imposed by the Environmental Clearance. This has already caused significant reduction in the quantity and quality of water flowing from many of our springs. The last two of the springs named above are inside the active mining area, with the 'Gallachi Zor' being destroyed completely and the 'Vanvshan Zor' is surrounded by mining activities on all side, with the water being used for washing mining equipment. Every day, the mining activities continue to destroy this crucial source of perennial water, and one of main sources of Kushawati River, which is the lifeline of tens of thousands of families living in our village, and in dozens of villages along the route of Karka River, Kushawati River and the Zuari River. We are afraid that if the mining activities are not stopped immediately, more compartments of this aquifer shall be compromised, causing total and irreversible destruction in our village and in other parts of Goa.

2. Destruction of nallahs and buffer zone: The subject mining lease includes three nallahs, which used to carry perennial waters to our fields for cultivation of second and third crops of paddy, sugarcane, chillis, vegetables and for horticulture. The mining company has not only compromised the buffer zones of the nallahs, but has also destroyed the nallahs themselves, in blatant violation of the law.

3. Mining Operations without necessary permissions: The Consent to Operate for the said mine has expired on 1^st January 2010, after which the mine has been operating illegally. During this period the mining company has excavated and transported huge quantities of ore illegally. As per the Orders of the Bombay High Court dated 20^th September 2010 (copy attached), read with the submissions made by the Government Departments, the mine is supposed to be inoperational. During a Hearing held at the office of the Chairman of GSPCB on 19^th November 2010, the representatives of the mining company stated that no mining operations are taking place at the mine. However, the mining activities are continuing till date with impunity, with accelerated speed and urgency.

4. Pollution of water and paddy fields: The illegal mining operations are causing havoc to the water and agriculture in our village, as confirmed by the Show Cause Notice issued by the Goa State Pollution Control Board on 22^nd October 2010 and their Test Reports (copies attached). During the Hearing held at the office of the Chairman of the GSPCB on 19^th November 2010, it was stated by the mining company representatives that the pump(s) in the mining pit are only for emergency purposes. However, the mining company continues to operate the pump illegally till date, and is thereby dumping large amounts of mud in the lands, rivers and paddy fields downstream of the mining pit and destroying them.

5. Forest Rights: The residents of Caurem village are scheduled tribe members and other forest dwellers. The attached copy of the Table no. 20, on page 100 of the “Survey Report on Scheduled Tribes of Goa” states that during the 2001 census, 699 tribal households were ennumerated in our village, which corroborates the actual number of more than 2000 tribal residents of our village. Our Traditional Rights over our Forest Lands, which includes the lands under this mining lease and lands contiguous with them, are now finally recognized by the Union Government under the Forest Rights Act, 2006. The ongoing mining is undermining the objectives of this new enactment and is destroying our Rights before they are even verified by the Government, and is therefore in violation of this enactment. The Environmental Clearance is also based on the false data included in the Rapid EIA & Management Plan Report, which states that there do not exist any tribals in the 22 villages in the study area (copy of page 3.9 of the Report attached). This is abolutely false, since all these villages are predominantly populated by tribals, as verified also by the government data in the Table no. 20, on page 100 of the “Survey Report on Scheduled Tribes of Goa”, which is attached herewith. Secondly, we have not had a proper opportunity to have a Public Hearing as mandated under the EIA Notification, since majority of the villagers were not aware of the Hearing held on 28^th April 2008. Thirdly, attached herewith is a copy of the unanimous Gram Sabha resolution dated 19^th December 2007 resolving to stop the mining which was forced upon the villagers in spite of their opposition. This resolution also is evidence proving that the mining had started even before the so-called Public Hearing held on 28^th April 2008, reducing the entire exercise to a farce.

6. Violation of Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980: A large portion of the mining land includes forest lands, both private forest and government owned reserve forest. The mining activities are going on in the private forest area without any permissions.

OUR PRAYER

We pray that you may therefore:

1. carry out a thorough investigation into the illegalities mentioned in this letter and into the adherence by the mining company to its other statutory responibilities under the various laws applicable, and the terms and conditions imposed under the various clearances and permissions obtained by the company;

2. pass an interim Stay Order against any mining or dewatering operations at the Devapan Dongor mine to prevent further irreversible damage to us and our environment, in the pendency of the investigation;

3. to take steps necessary to ensure that the mining comany cannot physically operate their machinery and pumps illegaly, as they have been doing in blatant violation of their own assurances given to the Chairman of the GSPCB in our presence.

We are determined to save our village from any further destruction and shall greatly appreciate your support and co-operation in stopping the irreversible polution of our surface and ground water resources, and upholding the Law and our Constitution.

Thanking you,

Yours sincerely,

Sd/-

Tulshidas Velip

Secretary

Encl: 1) Copies of documents mentioned in the body of this letter

Cc: 1. Regional office of MOEF, Banglore. 2. MOEF, Delhi.

Cavrem letter to Chief Conservator of Forest on illegal mining

CAUREM ADIVASI BACHAO SAMITI

c/o. Nilesh Gaonkar,

Gaonkarwada, Caurem,

Quepem taluka, Goa

REF NO. 20/10 Date: 25^th November 2010

To

The Chief Conservator of Forests,

The Chairman of the Monitoring Committee,

Gomanta Maratha Samaj Building,

Panaji, Goa

Sub: REQUEST FOR ORDER STOPPING MINING & DEWATERING AT XEC SALIM MINE, TC 01/51, CAUREM VILLAGE, QUEPEM TALUKA

Dear Sir,

We, the members of the Caurem Adivasi Bachao Samiti, living in the Caurem village of the Quepem Taluka, request your immediate intervention to save our village from the disastrous effects of water pollution caused by illegal mining.

We recently had the opportunity to attend the hearing held by the GSPCB regarding the renewal of the Consent to Operate of the subject mine in the office of the Chairman of the GSPCB on 19^th November 2010. However, we are greatly distressed by the fact that in spite of assurances given by the mining company's representatives during the hearing that no mining or dewatering is being carried out at the mine, the mining company has continued its dewatering and mining activities. In fact, they have accelerated their excavations and internal transportation activities after the hearing and have engaged a number of excavators and dozens of trucks in contravention of their commitments to the government. They are also pumping out huge quantities of water from the mining pit at nights, thereby causing siltation and pollution of our water ways and paddy fields.

We therefore request you to kindly pass an Order stopping the dewatering and mining activities in the said mine until they obtain the Consent to Operate. Please also give directions to the executive to ensure that the mining company is stopped physically from carrying out mining activities, since they are showing blatant contempt for the law and for their own representations.

We are determined to save our village from any further destruction and shall greatly appreciate your support and co-operation in stopping the illegal mining activities and the irreversible polution of our surface and ground water resources, and for upholding the Law and our Constitution.

Thanking you,

Yours sincerely,

Sd/-

Tulshidas Velip

Secretary

Cavrem reminder on illegal mining to Goa Chief Minister

CAUREM ADIVASI BACHAO SAMITI

c/o. Nilesh Gaonkar,

Gaonkarwada, Caurem,

Quepem taluka, Goa

REF NO. 02/10 Date: 25^th November 2010

To

The Hon'ble Chief Minister of Goa,

The Secretariat,

Porvorim, Bardez taluka, Goa

Sub: Second Reminder regarding Site Inspection of illegal mining at Caurem, Quepem taluka at TC 01/51, Devapan Dongor mine

REF: 1) Our meeting with you on 19^th August 2010 at your residential office

2) Our earlier letter to you dated 23^rd September 2010

Dear Sir,

We, the members of the Caurem Adivasi Bachao Samiti, had met you in your office at your residence at Malbhat, Margao on 19^th August 2010 at 0930 hrs in order to explain to you the devastation caused to our village and its residents by the subject mine, and to request you to stop the illegal mining operation immediately. You had promised that you would inspect our village and the effects of the mining jointly with us and that if there is any illegality, you would not allow the said mining to take place.

It is more than three months since you promised to inspect the mine. In the meanwhile, the rains are finished and the illegal mining has commenced in earnest. We are in a desperate situation, with the illegal mining rapidly destroying our village, our water resources and our forests. We had written a letter to you on 23^rd September 2010 reminding you of your promise, but to no avail.

Please tell us what are we supposed to do, as we are being systematically destroyed along with our lands by the said illegal mining, while you, our Chief Minister, are ignoring our desperate pleas for over three months. The illegal mining conitnues unabated despite the representations made by the mining company that no mining is taking place in the said mine, and in contempt of the Bombay High Court Order dated 20^th September 2010 implying that no mining activities are taking place, and in spite of the ample evidence available with the government departments regarding violations of law by the said mine.

The following facts are again brought to your notice as evidence of the illegality of the mining being carried out:

1. Destruction of ground water aquifers and springs: 'Devapan' literally translates as 'God's sacred grove', signifiying the exceptional significance of the life giving ecological wealth of this hill. This hill has some of the most exceptional aquifers in Goa and is the origin of numerous perennial springs, including major ones called 'Paikachi Zor', Khaspurus Zor', 'Talyepat Zor', 'Bulmeachi Zor', 'Khuteachi Zor Ghogho', 'Mestan Zor', 'Gaunkaran Zor', 'Vanvshan Zor' and 'Gallachi Zor'.The present mining pit has already gone deep into the ground much below the permitted levels, and has burst one water aquifer, thereby destroying its integrity, the water quality and quantity, which is serious violation of the conditions imposed by the Environmental Clearance. This has already caused significant reduction in the quantity and quality of water flowing from many of our springs. The last two of the springs named above are inside the active mining area, with the 'Gallachi Zor' being destroyed completely and the 'Vanvshan Zor' is surrounded by mining activities on all side, with the water being used for washing mining equipment. Every day, the mining activities continue to destroy the crucial sources of perennial water contained within the Devapan Dongor, which water is the lifeline of tens of thousands of families living in dozens of villages along the route of Karka rivulet, Kushawati River and the Zuari River. We are certain that if the mining activities are not stopped immediately, more compartments of this aquifer shall be compromised, causing total and irreversible destruction in our village and in other parts of Goa.

2. Destruction of nallahs and buffer zone: The subject mining lease includes three nallahs, which used to carry perennial waters to our fields for cultivation of second and third crops of paddy, sugarcane, chillis, vegetables and for horticulture until the mining activities commenced. The mining company has not only compromised the buffer zones of the nallahs, but has also destroyed the nallahs themselves, in blatant violation of the law.

3. Mining Operations without necessary permissions: The Consent to Operate for the said mine has expired on 1^st January 2010, after which the mine has been operating illegally. During this period the mining company has excavated and transported huge quantities of ore illegally. As per the Orders of the Bombay High Court dated 20^th September 2010 (copy attached), read with the submissions made by the Government Departments, the mine is not supposed to be in operation. During a Hearing held at the office of the Chairman of GSPCB on 19^th November 2010, the representatives of the mining company also stated that no mining operations are taking place at the mine. However, the mining activities are continuing till date with impunity, with accelerated speed and urgency, proving the blatant lies and misrepresentations being made by the mining company.

4. Pollution of water and paddy fields: The illegal mining operations are causing havoc to the water and agriculture in our village, as confirmed by the Show Cause Notice issued by the Goa State Pollution Control Board on 22^nd October 2010 and their Test Reports (copies attached). During the Hearing held at the office of the Chairman of the GSPCB on 19^th November 2010, it was stated by the mining company representatives that the pump(s) in the mining pit are only for emergency purposes. However, the mining company continues to operate the pump illegally till date, and is thereby dumping large amounts of mud in the lands, rivers and paddy fields downstream of the mining pit and destroying them.

5. Forest Rights: The residents of Caurem village are scheduled tribe members and other forest dwellers. The attached copy of the Table no. 20, on page 100 of the “Survey Report on Scheduled Tribes of Goa” states that during the 2001 census, 699 tribal households were ennumerated in our village, which corroborates the actual number of more than 2000 tribal residents of our village. Our Traditional Rights over our Forest Lands, which includes the lands under this mining lease and lands contiguous with them, are now finally recognized by the Union Government under the Forest Rights Act, 2006. The ongoing mining is undermining the objectives of this new enactment and is destroying our Rights before they are even verified by the Government, and is therefore in violation of this enactment. The Environmental Clearance is also based on the false data included in the Rapid EIA & Management Plan Report, which states that there do not exist any tribals in the 22 villages in the study area (copy of page 3.9 of the Report attached). This is abolutely false, since all these villages are predominantly populated by tribals, as verified also by the government data in the Table no. 20, on page 100 of the “Survey Report on Scheduled Tribes of Goa”, which is attached herewith. Secondly, we have not had a proper opportunity to have a Public Hearing as mandated under the EIA Notification, since majority of the villagers were not aware of the Hearing held on 28^th April 2008. Thirdly, attached herewith is a copy of the unanimous Gram Sabha resolution dated 19^th December 2007 resolving to stop the mining which was forced upon the villagers in spite of their opposition. This resolution also is evidence proving that the mining had started even before the so-called Public Hearing held on 28^th April 2008, reducing the entire exercise to a farce.

6. Violation of Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980: A large portion of the mining land includes forest lands, both private forest and government owned reserve forest. The mining activities are going on in the private forest area without any permissions.

We are willing to show you all the evidence regarding the above violations and the previous correspondence initiated by us with the various government departments.

We are again pleading with you to take this impending destruction extremely seriously, and hope that you shall not fail to keep your promise. If the mining is started again in our village before your inspection, we shall be forced to consider all options available to us in the face of the extermination of our tribal village.

Thanking you,

Yours sincerely,

Sd/-

Tulshidas Velip

Secretary

encl: documents referred in the letter

National Wildlife Board letter on Poi Palondikar illegal mine

One die, Mining transport blocked in Colamb

One Sanjay Nilu Gaonkar (35) of Ambaulim Quepem died on the spot in a Motor Vehicle accident when a maruti swift bearing No.GA-09-3717 driven by Suresh Krishna Gaonkar resident of Sulcorna Quepem dashed him at Colomba on Friday evening. As the vehicle involved in the accident belongs to a mining contractor and the villagers are facing lot of hardship due to the mining transport over the Colomba Rivona route the agitated villagers on Saturday morning stopped the entire transport. The Deputy Collector of Quepem shri Agnelo Fernandes made his presence at the site and tried to convince the villagers and requested them to make the road free but the villagers were not in a mood to listen to the Dy-Collector as they were already fedup with the mining transport. They demanded a written assurance from the Dy-Collector that the mining truck will be strictly monitored and demanded implementation of High Court order. Dy-Collector told the villagers that he will have a have meeting on 22/10/2010 to discuss over the issue, even then the villagers were not in a mood to clear the road. They further demanded the presence of South Goa Collector at the site to find a solution to the problem faced by them. After telephonically contacting the Collector the Dy-Collector informed the villagers that the Collector is unable to remain present. As the villagers are not ready to listen the DyCollector called the P.I. of Sanguem Shri Ekoskar incharge of Quepem Police station as the P.I. of Quepem Shri Sudesh Narvekar is no leave. The P.I. Ekoskar assured the villagers that the mining truck will be manage from Colomba instead of Tilamol. After getting the assurance from the Dy-Collector in presence of the P.I. that the mining truck will be monitored from Colomba instead of Tilamol, the villagers cleared the road.

GOAMAP objects to Alemao manipulation of mining employment statistics

Goa Federation of Mines Affected People (GOAMAP) takes strong objections to the manipulation of mining generated employment indulged in by Minister Churchill Alemao. Mr. Alemao stated that mining industry generates employment for 5 lakh people in an interview published in 2010 issue of UAE Goan Review.

GOAMAP considers this as the gross manipulation of statistics and demands Churchill Alemao to make the names of 5 lakh people employed by mining industry public. GOAMAP also wants to know from Mr. Alemao the break up of as to how many people of the 5 lakh are employed on contract basis and those on permanent basis.

GOAMAP is of the considered opinion that Mr. Alemao has been inflating the employment figures only protect his family businesses including his Minister brother Joaquim Alemao involved in mining that is rapidly destroying Goa.

GOAMAP however congratulates Mr. Alemao for admitting in the same interview that in case mining in Goa is stopped government will fall. This is very true considering that fact that it is the mining companies that are involved in running the Goa government. So from this it becomes clear that Mr. Alemao is totally insensitive to the gross ecological destruction of Goa including the western ghats and wants mining to carry on so that government does not fall. GOAMAP urges Mr.Alemao to wake up from his slumber and stop being advocate of mining industry.

Mining trucks overloading in Rivona-Tilamol road

The villagers of Tilamol Rivona Complains that they have to constantly face the problem of constant traffic jam over the Tilamol Rivona road since the starting of the mining season. The movement of traffic on these road is so heavy that the villagers even find it difficult even to cross the road.

The concerned department since the death of Satish Rivonkar in March 2010 in order to ease out the problem of traffic jam on the Quepem Curchorem main road , the mining truck plying via Rivona Colomba side are regulated at Tilamol. The number of truck plying on these rout is so much that the line of mining truck from Tilamol extends upto Rivona bazaar over a length of 9 kms.

The movement of loaded truck from Rivona Colomba towards Tilamol and the empty truck moving in the opposite direction constantly leads to traffic jam, which causes unbearable hardship to the common man, Complains Mrs. Olinda Lopes a villager of Rivona. She further informed that the villager of Rivona in September 2010 had written to the Dy-Collector Quepem requesting there in not to park the mining truck on the main road but to park them at Pandova Sodo Rivona as suggested in a meeting held in April 2010 with the collector. But the Dy-Collector Quepem is yet to do the needful to root out the problem faced by the villagers. Informed said Olinda Lopes further.

The villagers of Rivona informed that the mining truck plying on the Tilamol Rivona road are not complying with the order of the Hon’ble High with regard to loading. "The trucks are overloading and the police deputed are not doing their duty to take action against the overloading truck that too inspite of getting this fact to the police" said Lopes further. Armed with evidence she informed that the mining truck plying via Rivona carrys two loading slips - one written by hand while the other is a computer copy. The computer copy mentions the exact weight while the handwritten slip mentions the weight as mentioned in the registration certificate of the truck. Evidence furnished to this correspondent confirms that the trucks carry more than 21 tons.

Photo annexed: Seen in the photo 1) A big queue of mining truck at Rivona near the school. 2) A Truck bearing No.GA-09-U-0672 operating from magnum Minerals Private Ltd. carries two slips one is handwritten which mentions the gross weight as 17,700 tons while the computer copy mentions the gross weight as 21430 tons.

In Ratnagiri its dangerous assault on enviroment

Shri Milind Balavat Nijsure
At post Velas, Tal. mandangad, Dist. Ratnagiri
Maharashtra

Date: 09.11.2010

Sub: ASSAULT ON ENVIRONMENT BY DANGEROUS MINING (Ashapura Mine Chem. Ltd. , Mumbai COMPANY )

Government of Maharashtra renewed the lease in respect of Velas – Sakhari Bauxite mine site for the period of 20 years.( up to 29-11-2009)The lease holder Smt. Dhanavate gave power of attorney in respect of said mine site to m/s Ashapura Mine Chem. Ltd. , Mumbai in the year 2003.(Copy of Lease enclosed and marked Exhibit A , Please refer folder ‘Exhibit A’)

The Maharashtra Pollution Control Board gave their consent to operate to the said mine site to m/s Ashapura Mine Chem. Ltd. on 17-06-2005 to excavate 4000 tons of Bauxite per month.(Copy of Lease enclosed and marked Exhibit B , Please refer folder ‘Exhibit B’)

However m/s Ashapura Mine Chem. Ltd. Excavated Bauxite illegally before getting the consent from Maharashtra Pollution Control Board. M/s Ashapura Mine Chem. Ltd. Excavated Bauxite to the tune of around 65,000 tons in the year 2003-04 and 2004-05.This illegal excavated Bauxite was exported by m/s Ashapura Mine Chem. Ltd. During April-May 2005.Milind b. Nijsure , resident of Velas , Tal. Mandangad , Dist. Ratnagiri, filed the petition in Hon. Dapoli Court against m/s Ashapura Mine Chem. Ltd. on 26-12-2006 for this illegal excavation and export of Bauxite.( i. Copy of production report between 2003-2005 ii. Maharashtra Maritime board’s export report iii. Maharashtra Pollution Control Board’s notice dt. : 28-04-2005 asking Ashapure Mine chem.. Ltd. to stop the illegal mining.iv. Copy of Dapoli Court’s case filed by Mr. M.B. Nijsure.enclosed and marked Exhibit C , Please refer folder ‘Exhibit C’ )
M/s Ashapura Mine Chem. Ltd. Has violated all rules and regulations laid down by various govt. departments during their mining activity including D.G.M.S.Director general of mine safety has filed a suit against m/s Ashapura Mine Chem. Ltd. In Hon. Dapoli court.(Copy of inspection report of D.G.M.S. stating various violations and case papers are enclosed and marked Exhibit D , Please refer folder ‘Exhibit D’ )
M/s Ashapura Mine Chem. Ltd. Even went beyond lease zone area and excavated Bauxite, thus violating lease conditions.( Copy of Circle – Mandangad report showing lease violation and tehsildar- Mandangad letter to District collector recommending appropriate action against M/s Ashapura Mine Chem. Ltd., Enclosed and marked Exhibit E, Please refer folder ‘Exhibit E’)
Maharashtra Pollution Control Board appointed a export committee to study the various violations made by M/s Ashapura Mine Chem. Ltd. at the said site and thereby its impact on the environment. The Committee noted various violations made by M/s Ashapura Mine Chem. Ltd.(Refer pages 3, 5,6 of report)(Copy of report enclosed and marked Exhibit F, Please refer folder ‘Exhibit F’)
Milind B. Nijsure along with Srikar Paranjape filed a Public Interest Litigation against Ashapura Mine Chem. Ltd. , MPCB , Govt. of Maharashtra , Union of India through Ministry of environment and forest in the Hon. Mumbai High Court bearing No.:137 of 2008.( Copy enclosed and marked Exhibit G, Please refer folder ‘Exhibit G’.)
Maharashtra Pollution Control Board gave their consent to operate for the said mine for the excavation of the Bauxite up to 4000 tons per month. However M/s Ashapura Mine Chem. Ltd. Has excavated roughly around 30,000 tons per month, thus violating the consent. Ashapura Mine Chem. Ltd. has given production report to District Mining Officer, Ratnagiri from April 2007 to October 2008. However Ashapura Mine Chem. Ltd. Has not submitted the said report to Directorate of Geology and mining Nagpur. ( Refer Exhibit C)( Copy of Production report from District Mining Officer, Ratnagiri enclosed and marked Exhibit H, Please refer folder ‘Exhibit H’)
The said lease given by Govt. of Maharashtra expired on 29-11-2009 and the lease has not been renewed till today. The consent to operate of Maharashtra Pollution Control Board also expired on 20-11-2009 and MPCB has not given fresh consent to the said site till today. However M/s Ashapura Mine Chem. Ltd. Continues to excavate Bauxite at the said site beyond 29-11-2009 to till today. (In January 2010, Ashapura Mine Chem. Ltd. , illegally excavated Bauxite to the tune of 34, 500 tons which exceeds the previous consent of Maharashtra Pollution Control Board up to 4000 tons per month)( Copy of MPCB, Industry Ministry and production report upto march 2010 enclosed and marked Exhibit I , please refer folder ’Exhibit I’)
This shows that M/s Ashapura Mine Chem. Ltd. Is notorious for violating all rules laid down by both Central and State Government departments.Letters has been sent to MPCB; Dist. Collector, Ratnagiri; Industry Ministry( Govt. of Maharashtra), Ministry of environment and Forests( Central Govt.) to take stern action and reject / Cancel all their licenses / renewals and environmental clearances.( Copies enclosed and marked Exhibit J, Please refer folder ‘Exhibit J’.)
M/s Ashapura Mine Chem. Ltd. has wrongly informed to Ministry of Environment and Forest and Indian Bureau of Mines through their EIA reports and mining plan respectively.In EIA report submitted to MOEF, the M/s Ashapura Mine Chem. Ltd. Has wrongly stated that the entire lease area is private waste land.In the mining plan submitted to IBM , M/s Ashapura Mine Chem. Ltd. States "The mining lease area is barren land within vegetations like thorny bushes & shrubs. This area comprises private and revenue waste land without any agriculture."( page 4 of mining plan. Under " Land used pattern" Chapter.)I hereby submit few land records ( which are indicative) of survey Nos. 32,110,122,125 which clearly shows mango and cashew plantations in huge quantity. In fact some of the land owners had received subsidy from Govt. of Maharashtra under "Employment Guarantee scheme’s Fruit Plantation program.Thus this shows how M/s Ashapura Mine Chem. Ltd. Obtains various clearances from Govt. Departments by misleading them and hiding actual facts of the lease area.( Copies enclosed and marked Exhibit K, Please refer folder ‘Exhibit K’.Please refer Folder ‘Saat_Baara’ under above folder)
Place : Velas
Date : 10-11-2010
Sd/-
(Milind B. Nijsure)

Petition on illegal mining in Sakhri-Velas, Mandangad, Ratnagiri

Shri Milind Balavat Nijsure
At post Velas, Tal. mandangad, Dist. Ratnagiri
Maharashtra
Date: 09.11.2010

To,
Shri. Madhavrao Gadgil
President, Western Ghat Panel
Sub: Facts of Velas-Sakhari Bauxite mine site Tal. Mandangad Dist. Ratnagiri.
Useful Land for Horticulture or Barren land.
Please refer to part of Mining Plan approved by Indian Bureau of Mines, Madgaon, Goa for Velas-Sakhari Bauxite. Mine. (Enclosed & marked Set1_01 - Set1_17 refer folder 01_Velas_Sakhri)
Please refer to 12.1.2.Existing land use pattern (Pg. 22) and 12.2.1.Land environment, iii Agriculture and V vegetation (pg. 25,26) which reproduce below for the case of reference.
12.1.2. Existing Land use Pattern: The lease area is in mound shape and top of the deposit is in the form of plateau. The lease area is mostly covered with late rite copping. About 8.10 HA is covered by pits and 1.09 deposit is the flat ground and surrounding area is having jungle growth and Mango Farms, Cashew, casuarinas plantation and Marshy areas (pg. 22,23)
12.2.1. (ii) The lease area is private land with elevated ground and is in mound shape without much vegetation.( pg. 25)
12.2.1.V The lease area at present is having thin vegetation and the land is mostly barren. There are shrubs and bus has that is sparsely located in area that is the vegetation. (pg. 26)
Please also see pg 2 of EIA report in which it states that " The entire lease area is a private waste Land " while 12.1.2 of mining Plan states that the deposit is in flat ground and surrounding area s having jungle growth and Mango Farms, Cashew, casuarinas plantation and Marshy areas. (Enclosed & marked Set2_01 - Set2_02 refer folder 01_Velas_Sakhri)
In 12.2.1 (iii) of Mining Plan (pg. 26) states "A present there is no agriculture activities in the proposed area except patches of Mango grove.
In 12.2.1.V (pg 26) states "The lease area at present is having thin vegetation and the land is mostly barren.
Thus it would be seen that it is contended that entire lease area is waste land and surrounding area is having jungle growth. However it is also accepted that in patches there is Mango Cashew, casuarinas plantation.
Please find given below is a table showing survey NOs. Area in HA, No of Mango/cashew trees and remark in respect of land under Mining Lease as per Mine Plan approved by Indian Bureau of Mines(pg. 3)
Survey No.
Area in HA
Plantation remarks
125/111
6-18-0
Received subsidy from Govt. under EGS Fruit Plantation Programme. Rs. 106506/-
110/1
12-53-0
Mango plantation 5 HA, Total 900 Mango trees.
122/12
0-77-0
Mango plantation 77 guntha.
110/2
1-13-0
Mango plantation 1 HA/13 guntha,
32/1
1-51-5
Mango plantation 1 HA, 51.5 gunthas.
122/9
0-21-0
Cashew plantation in 21 gunthas
Above table is indicative. (Enclosed above in folder Saat-Baara)
From the said table it would be seen that no. of Mango, casuarinas and cashew trees recorded in 7/12 from the Land Records for which subsidy was received by the owner of land. Also other land owners planted trees at their own expense and also does not cover trees other than Mango, casuarinas and cashew which may be there as natural forest. This proves "The entire lease area is waste land" is a false statement used only to obtain/renew mining lease. This aspect had neither been verified from records nor brought out after visit to the site by IBM or MPCB officers apart from RQP-Recognized qualified person enlisted / empanelled by IBM.
The whole chain of officers of IBM who had approved original and Modified Mining plan is liable for extreme punishment for derelictions of duty and also corrupts practices. RQP's who prepared these plans are also guilty of the offences as the officer of IBM and Maharashtra Pollution Control Board officers cannot escape the charge.
In 12.2.1.(iii) of modified mining plan referred above says that "due to late rite capping in the area, there is much less scope of agricultural activities in proposed area."
Everybody in the region knows that late rite- locally called "JAMBHA" is very useful for improving taste and quality of Mango. Plantation of Mango and cashew on above survey NOs. of Sakhari village still bear testimony to see and confirm.
It may be seen from table given under 12.2.1.(ii) (pg. 26) that 26.57 HA shall be degraded by mining while only 8.1 HA i.e. around up to 30% of degraded land shall be developed as green belt.
Ways and means should be found to punish all those who are responsible for this degradation of land and consequential harm to local ecology, as well as opportunity of earning lively-hood to all future generations who could support themselves in the region.
All adjacent ranges are green from top to bottom was observed by yourself during your visit on 04.10.2010.

Safety of Mines and other
Please find enclosed herewith copy of Inspection Report of Director of Mine Safety, Goa Region, (Enclosed & marked Set3_01 - Set3_04 refer folder 01_Velas_Sakhri)

and the report of the committee appointed by Maharashtra Pollution control Board.
(Enclosed & marked Set4_01 - Set4_10 refer folder 01_Velas_Sakhri)

Major violations as pointed by DMS in his inspection report are as follows.
Use of Heavy Earth Moving Machinery without permission. This is also in violation of Approved Mining Plan by IBM. It means explosive use in blast may be 50 times or more than planned.
Grossly inadequate staff to look after safely.

Poor record keeping. Only 100 out of 250+ workmen on roll in form Band D. That means if a workman whose name is not in form B meets with an accident company can escape legal liability.
Mine workers hutments were existing within 50 meter of working pit. These hutments to be shifted at least 500 meters from working pit. i.e. beyond danger zone.

Explosive magazine dually approved by licensing authority under the Indian explosive Act 1884 was mot maintained.

Now please read 5 above in conjunction with second point on pg. 5 of the Expert Committee Report. (Enclosed & marked Set4_01 - Set4_10 refer folder 01_Velas_Sakhri) It reads and I quote: "It was mentioned by the company officials that blasting is generally carried out during the lunch break when most of the workers are away from the blast zone. The company does not have the permission from the explosive department for carrying out blasting. It is reported that the blasting is undertaken with the help of the the approved explosive permit holder based in chiplun. They were not able to show neither the records of blasting undertaken in the past nor the details of the charge being used for the blasting."

Therefore f any explosive is smuggled out from this location to Naxalites or Terrorists there would be no knowing of it as there is no record and control.
Explosive being a sensitive subject, more so for this coastal area, it is unpardonable callousness on the part of State administration, risking the lives of unrelated citizens anywhere in the state.
The Report of expert committee appointed by MPCB speaks volumes. This may kindly be read once more to digest what the committee observed and recommended. In nutshell it tells us the attitude of M/S Ashapura...... that says "To hell with MPCB and its recommendations we can manage without them" In spite of this MPCB is not acting against the company - this needs investigation.


System Improvements :
Public hearing of which video recording is available with MPCB, a CD/DVD should be made available to Gram Panchayats in which the project is located within 3 days of such hearing.
Reports of Public hearing from Regional Office of MPCB o HQ MPCB or from Dist. collector to state govt. as well as reports from HQ MPCB/state govt. to MOEF/ Central Govt. should be endorsed to Gram Panchayat along with translated copy in regional language as the case may be.
Above modifications have been suggested because it has been observed that some of the major points raised do not find place in the report as those may be inconvenient to administration or project operator.
While granting clearance MOEF must deal with every objection raised during Public hearing and give a speaking judgment for its rejection.
A copy of MOEF clearance in English as well as its translation in regional language as the case may be put in Gram Panchayat in which the project is located.
It is also observed that there is practically no co-ordination between various inspecting agencies and Dist. administration i.e. collector, Dist. Mining officer of Ratnagiri inspected Velas- Sakhari Bauxite mine site and reported no violations of mines act while DGMS had pointed out serious violations.(Enclosed & marked Set3_01 - Set3_04 refer folder 01_Velas_Sakhri)
When we informed MPCB that the Mine is operating with MPCB renewals beyond Nov. 2009, they say "we have informed Dist. Collector and he has to take action." we are unable to find a solutions to this inactivity, hence all adverse comments against a mine or plant operator should be passed on to Dist. collector in case of mines and similar appropriate authority in case of factories/plants so that such authority cannot plead ignorance about such violations.
The Offices of DGMS, Labour Commissioner, E.P.F. Commissioner, Under labour Ministry, I.B.M. under Ministry of Mines and Factory inspectorate under State Govt. as well as central Govt. needs to be informed of this procedure.
Thanking You,

Yours faithfully

Sd/-
(Milind B. Nijsure)

GAKUVED letter to Union Tribal Affairs Minister on laws protecting tribes in Goa

To,
Hon’ble Tribal Minister,
Ministry of Tribal Affairs,
New Delhi.

29/10/2010

Sub: Non-implementation of The Scheduled Tribes and other
Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forests Rights)
Act, 2006 by Goa Government

Sir,

We wish to bring to your urgent attention the following:-
The inclusion of Tribes in the Scheduled List for the State of Goa was notified by the Goa Govt. in 2004 but till date they have not implemented the Tribal Sub Plan and declare the scheduled areas nor included them in V Schedule. As a result the land originally belonging to the tribes of Goa is acquired and sold in the name of development for the Corporate Sectors in mining, industries and real estates.

Goa Government has not yet constituted Forest Rights Committees in all the Panchayats of Goa (only 91 are constituted and remaining are pending). Also the Goa Government has not yet constituted mandatory Sub-Divisional Level Committees and District Level Committees anywhere in Goa as required under The Scheduled Tribes and other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forests Rights) Act, 2006. This has caused great hardships to Scheduled Tribes people of Goa as they are not able to file claims with the sub-divisional and district level committees.

On the other hand, Goa government is attempting to evict people from all Wildlife Sanctuaries, in Goa – even before implementing Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forests Rights) Act, 2006 - by declaring them as Critical Wildlife Habitats. This has caused Scheduled tribes of Goa great hardships. Due to this, people from the forest areas are currently revolting against the snatching away of their habitats and livelihoods by blocking access to forest to and their cattle by forest department by barbed wire fencing and dug trenches around the dwelling houses.

We urge you to urgently intervene in this matter and direct the Goa Government to undertake the following immediately:
1. To prepare, publish and implement Tribal Sub-Plan as per Schedule Castes & Schedule Tribes Order (Amendment) Act 2002.
2. To notify Schedule Areas as per the Schedule Castes & Schedule Tribes Order (Amendment) Act 2002.
To include Goa tribes viz Gawda, Kunbi & Velip in V Schedule.
To constitute Forest Rights committees in all the Panchayats of Goa State of The Scheduled Tribes and other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forests Rights) Act, 2006.
To constitute Sub-Divisional Committees and District level committee in North Goa and South Goa districts.
To dismantle barbed wire fencing and filling up of trenches in forest areas around the dwelling houses.

Thanking you,
Yours Faithfully,

(Durgadas G. Gaonkar)
PRESIDENT
C.C. to: 1) Campaign for Survival & Dignity, New Delhi
2) Bharat Mukti Morcha, Goa

Non-implimentation of Tribal Act

To,
The Chairman,
Parliamentary Committee
for Scheduled Caste & Scheduled Tribe,
New Delhi.

29/10/2010

Sub: Non-implementation of The Scheduled Tribes and other
Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forests Rights)
Act, 2006 by Goa Government

Sir,

We wish to bring to your urgent attention the following:-

The inclusion of Tribes in the Scheduled List for the State of Goa was notified by the Goa Govt. in 2004 but till date they have not implemented the Tribal Sub Plan and declare the scheduled areas nor included them in V Schedule. As a result the land originally belonging to the tribes of Goa is acquired and sold in the name of development for the Corporate Sectors in mining, industries and real estates.

Goa Government has not yet constituted Forest Rights committees in all the Panchayats of Goa (only 91 are constituted and remaining are pending). Also the Goa Government has not yet constituted mandatory sub-divisional level committees and District level committees anywhere in Goa as required under The Scheduled Tribes and other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forests Rights) Act, 2006. This has caused great hardships to Scheduled Tribes people of Goa as they are not able to file claims with the sub-divisional and district level committees.

On the other hand, Goa government is attempting to evict people from all Wildlife Sanctuaries, in Goa – even before implementing Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forests Rights) Act, 2006 - by declaring them as Critical Wildlife Habitats. This has caused Scheduled tribes of Goa great hardships. Due to this, people from the forest areas are currently revolting against the snatching away of their habitats and livelihoods by blocking access to forest and their cattle by forest department by barbed wire fencing and dug trenches around the dwelling houses.


We urge you to urgently intervene in this matter and direct the Goa Government to undertake the following immediately:

To prepare, publish and implement Tribal Sub-Plan as per Schedule Castes & Schedule Tribes Order (Amendment) Act 2002.

To notify Schedule Areas as per the Schedule Castes & Schedule Tribes Order (Amendment) Act 2002.

To include Goa tribes viz Gawda, Kunbi & Velip in V Schedule.

To constitute Forest Rights committees in all the Panchayats of Goa State of The Scheduled Tribes and other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forests Rights) Act, 2006.

To constitute Sub-Divisional Committees and District level committee in North Goa and South Goa districts.

To dismantle barbed wire fencing and filling up of trenches in forest areas around the dwelling houses.

Thanking you,

Yours Faithfully,
Sd/-
(Durgadas G. Gaonkar)
PRESIDENT
Gawda, Kunbi, Velip and Dhangar Federation (GAKUVED)

Questions that millions of common Indians ask Mr. Obama

Press release from National Alliance of People's Movements (NAPM), Mumbai on the visit to India by USA President Barak Obama.

New Delhi, November 8 : ‘Change’ and ‘Hope’ were the two words which marked the election of Barack Obama as the President of United States of America. However, two years down the line, very little seems to have changed for the American citizens back home (as witnessed in the losses faced by Democrats in just concluded elections) and for millions across the world who are victims of the US economic, military and foreign policies.

US President Obama's on-going maiden India visit, accompanied by around 400 major US industrialists is about creating "50,000 jobs in USA" by writing up several agreements with India. Indian laws and practice permit the Union government to sign treaties and agreements with foreign countries without prior reference to Parliament, as already done with the India-US Nuclear deal and the Knowledge Initiative in Agriculture. Given the strongly pro-US stance of the UPA government, there are good chances that Obama will succeed. The Indian government is under the influence of big Indian industry in its approach and decisions, and this supports US policy of increasing trade and industrial links with India. US industry is sure to profit, giving Mr. Obama a much-needed political boost back home. And so would Indian big industry, giving Dr. Manmohan Singh a domestic boost when the UPA's flag flies at half-mast following CWG and other embarrassments.

It is in this backdrop that Mr. Obama’s visit to India must be seen more dispassionately and maturely, asking questions as to what his visit would mean for millions of ordinary Indians. It is unfortunate that the mainstream media, which is all too obsessed to portray his visit as the ‘most awaited thing for India’, hoping it will not only ‘strengthen our ties’, but will give a fillip to India’s place in the comity of nations in the 21st century fails to bring forth the deeper and real issues.

His announcements, in front of the US-India Business Council of a 10 billion dollar deal for GE and Boeing fueling the war machine of India and the destructive development might generate 50,000 jobs back home, but what about lakhs of livelihoods lost here in India? It is becoming clear that the ‘People’s President’ has no time for People. Business as usual for Businesses seems to be the prime motive.

If anything, Obama’s visit carries a hidden agenda, to further the profiteering interests of the US Corporations and it is clear that Washington is pushing its ties with New Delhi even narrowly than earlier in various sectors. It is undeniable that the President’s visit is overwhelmingly tilted towards the advantage of the American Corporations and the State.

The asymmetry of USA's insistence on corporate accountability in the recent Gulf of Mexico oil disaster with Obama's silence on corporate accountability in the Bhopal gas disaster of 25 years earlier is glaring. This can only be interpreted as successive Indian governments' agreeing to subordinate the economic interests of the vast majority of India's millions to the interests of corporate India, and its commitment to neo-liberal economic ideology.

We also feel that India’s increasing affinity with the ‘Global Big Brother’ is a cause of deep concern for all of who prioritize real democracy, equity and lasting peace in our relations with our neighbours. We warn of the need for a mature and realistic approach whether on the ‘war on terror’ globally or insurgency and Maoism internally, which must be guided by a people-centric decision making process in India and not pushed by US.

Today, the US has won over a large pool of ‘faithful’ foot soldiers in India ranging from bureaucrats, infocrats, technocrats to academics, economists, bio-technologists, nuclear scientists, political representatives, professionals, call center employees to even NGO’s and welfare organizations, who reinforce the subjugation, hegemony and greed of global capital, led by the US regime.

While Mr. Obama has called India an ‘indispensable ally’, he should also care to know what the indispensable priorities for the largest democracy in the world are. President Obama has a historic responsibility to undo historical injustices inflicted upon India and other developing nations by the imperialist policies of US and Corporations, and we call upon him to address these wrongs and inequities, while marking a pro-people shift in contemporary policies. For instance, at a time when the US itself is de-commissioning large dams and not pursuing nuclear projects domestically, should it not stop funding and supporting huge hydro-electric projects in India and elsewhere through various IFIs and other Corporations and respect the global opposition to nuclear energy.

President Obama has a mandate to change things, at least begin the process and if he wants to disprove the strengthening allegation that he is the soft face of the US corporate culture, this is the time. Otherwise, he will have to pay heavily for the ill-implications of letting corporations run loose, trampling people’s rights and interests. In sum, President Obama's India visit is unlikely to enhance peace, justice and democracy within India, regionally or worldwide.

Medha Patkar, Sandeep Pandey, Maj Gen (Retd) Sudhir Vombatkere, Roma, Gabriele Dietrich, Dayamani Barla, Sister Celia, Anand Mazgaonkar, Bhupendra Singh Rawat, Rajendra Ravi, and Madhuresh Kumar

for National Conveners Team

Contact : napmindia@napm-india.org | 9818905316

Chichinim oppose market complex in agricultural land

“After studying the SGPDA Market Complex at Margao, which is stinking due to organic waste, plastic and other garbage thrown in the surrounding fields and properties, and after studying the Garbage thrown in low lying areas during filling at Margao and Navelim l, we recommend that the Chinchinim Market complex cum Panchayat Ghar be relocated to the existing CRC football Ground, so at to save our Chinchinim Cemetery, Church, School and prime paddy fields”, states Mr Frank Martins, President of Chinchinim Citizens Committee.

The President of the Union of Chinchinim Villagers, Mr Joe .M. Furtado also states that Chinchinim, which is the birth place of many football players, deserves Stadium cum Market Complex with other infrastructure near CRC football ground since it is centrally located and will not disturb the environment in any way.

Mr Jerry Fernandes, Ex - Dempo Sports Club football player, is also of the above opinion and states that the present part filling which has taken place should be turned into a beautiful garden for senior citizen and children as a due respect to all our departed.

Mr Delano Da Costa, Vice-President of Chinchinim Citizens Committee and member of Goenchea Xetkarancho Ekvott, also in favour of relocation of Market Complex, and states that due to Global warming our top priority should be to save the prime cultivated paddy fields, endangered species of frogs, turtles and other Flora & Fauna, as well as our forests. The Departments of Water Resources, Environment, Forests and Town & Country Planning should have guided the Government not to construct the Market complex in paddy fields. “During this environmental and economic crisis, the policy of self-praise through laying of foundation stones on one's own birthday, should be stopped”, he has further pointed out.

The unfortunate farmers who are struggling in sun and rain to cultivate paddy fields are yet to be recognized, since the National Farmers Policy 2007 is not implemented by the present selfish Government, inspite of repeated requests. The politicians and bureaucrats are again requested to implement correct policies, before it is too late for Goa.

Meet to protest sale of Vanxi island

On Sunday November 7, 2010 at 4.00 pm public protest meet will take place on Vanxi island in Mandovi river, Tiswadi taluka, Goa.

This is the third public meeting over the past four months in Vanxi after local people shifted gears to accelerate the pace of their agitation after Goa Archbishop sold the island to one Mahendra Gaunekar, who in turn accepted huge sums of money running into crore to clean up the island of nearly 100 people and make way for golf course, 5 star hotel, spa, luxury villas and marina.

The islanders has rapidly build alliances with number of organisations across the state of Goa and taking on the might of politically and economically powerful foes that includes banks, industrialists, ministers, MPs etc.

Few weeks back local St. Mathias panchayat had witnessed noisy scenes after organised villagers caught the authorities on wrong foot over the issue of medical doctor forced on island by the Golf tourism promoters as an act of charity and public relations combine.

Islanders has received very good response from the people they contacted and even entered in the mainstream media in its coverage. Few days ago local TV channel Goa 365 aired an interview with local Sarpanch who was dismayed at the vehement protests by the islanders. he sought to clear the name of the Panchayat from involvement in any graft scandal related to the project. He declared that the Panchayat has not received any file of the project and blamed the former panchayat member from Panchayat - Domnic - of accepting bribes relating to golf course.

After television interview islanders visited Dominic's house at 8.30 am yesterday and grilled him thoroughly till 3.30 pm. tomorrow's meeting is expected to draw number of people from neraby areas - particularly from Cumbarjua constituency that is represented by Pandurang Madkaikar who is alleged to be one of the kingpins behind the conspiracy to impose Golf course cum 5 star hotel on the Vanxi islanders.

GOAMAP supports people of Vanxi island

Goa Federation of Mines Affected People (GOAMAP) extends support to the agitating Vanxi island people against golf course, 5 star hotel, Spa, luxury villas and Marina at the behest of merchant capital interests.

GOAMAP is convinced that the dumping of these projects on the island will render the island people as captives of capital with violent uprooting from their rightful dwellings and cultivation spaces.

GOAMAP demands that all these projects be shelved and island people be protected from being displaced for the sake of pleasure trips of the super rich of the world.

GOAMAP takes strong objection to the aerial survey of the island conducted from helicopter flying over Vanxi island on November 2, 2010 allegedly by the promoters of the project. GOAMAP demands full fledged investigations to find out as to was responsible for the Helicopter to fly over Vanxi for the entire day.

GOAMAP considers the Vanxi development project as an act of colonial aggression by merchant capital on par with exploitation of Goa carried out by mining companies and calls upon people of Goa to prepare for the long drawn anti-colonial struggle ahead.

It is ironical that people of Goa has to brace up for anti-colonial struggle in the 50th year of Goa liberation. Goa liberation has not liberated the people of Goa but has given license to plunder to the local elites. In a way Goa has superficial liberation with core being 500 years of Colonial imprints.

Goa in exploitation has been going on through mining, tourism, industry, real estate and labour. GOAMAP believes in broad alliance of various exploited sections of people and in this context pledges support to people of Vanxi island in Tiswadi taluka.