Mining crisis finds echo in gram sabha

MARGAO: Apprehending a probable withdrawal of community welfare programmes implemented by the mining companies in the mining belt owing to the current mining crisis, the gram sabha of the Sanvordem panchyat held on Sunday adopted a resolution urging the mine owners not to take any such steps that would put the villagers to hardships and inconvenience.
The villagers also warned the mine owners that if any of the community welfare programmes is stopped abruptly, the panchayat would refrain from providing any help to the mining firm once it resumes mining operations in the village.
Mining companies have introduced several community welfare measures in the mining belt, like providing water through tankers to areas hit by water scarcity, providing transport services to remote areas, etc.
Pointing out that livelihoods of thousands of people dependent on mining was at stake owing to the closure of mines, the villagers called for intervention by the supreme court by allowing all illegal mines to resume their operations immediately. Aresolution to that effect was also adopted. It was decided to send a copy of the resolution to the chief justice of the apex court, prime minister and the state's chief minister as well.
A resolution demanding that compensation of Rs 50,000 per month be provided to all affected truck owners by the mines owners was also adopted. The state government should take steps to ensure that mine owners compensate the affected truck owners, the resolution further added.