Govt to recover fines for illegal quarrying by seizing property

Mapusa: The people of Tuem in Pernem taluka are worried after mamlatdar Ranjit Salgaonkar issued notices to property owners demanding payment of pending fines linked to illegal stone quarrying, warning that properties could be confiscated on the directorate of mines and geology’s directions.

An official said the mines directorate has begun proceedings to attach houses, private vehicles and other assets to recover unpaid fines running into lakhs of rupees.

The crackdown follows years of illegal stone quarrying in the area. With many plots held jointly by comunidades or families, notices have been served to all co-owners, the official said.

The notices have triggered panic and resentment among recipients, with some saying govt is now acting against locals over long-running illegalities. Others have supported the move, pointing to the danger posed by abandoned quarry pits during the monsoon.

In Sep 2019, four school students drowned in an abandoned stone quarry in Tuem while on a school trek.

“We don’t want a repeat of such tragedy. Such quarries should be closed, or filled with soil. We don’t want abandoned water bodies,” said the mother of one of the victims.

Local Ratakant Raut said that if quarry owners leave pits open, govt must act to prevent drownings once they fill with rainwater.

“This time, swimming zones and signage warning against drowning have been put up, but will that be enough? It’s a collective responsibility of locals as well as the administration,” Raut said.