MAPUSA
Stating that the sand mafia controlled sand extraction business in the village, Camurlim Sarpanch Vishant Gaonkar on Friday said government departments were hand in gloves with them and refused to take action against illegal sand extraction.
“We have sent letters to mines department, Captain of Ports, collector, in fact to every department concerned in the government against illegal sand extraction in the village. But strangely, no action is forthcoming against the illegal activity,” said Gaonkar.
The Camurlim sarpanch was addressing a news conference in present of virtually all panchayat members in Mapusa.
Continuing, Gaonkar said the panchayat suspected that government departments, particularly the officials of Captain of Ports and Mines Department, were facilitating illegal sand extraction in the village and appealed to the administration to take strict action against those involved in the illegality.
“The extraction of sand begins at 3.30 am, disturbing the sleep of the villagers. At least 15 trips are made by trucks carrying the sand through the village roads. People say that the panchayat members are involved in the trade,” he said.
Former sarpanch and present panch member, Sharad Gad, informed that the village gram sabha had passed a resolution in 2016 not to allow sand extraction in Camurlim which was forwarded to mines and other departments.
“Despite the resolution and several reminders, none of the departments have chosen to take action against the illegal sand extraction. We are not interested in legal or illegal sand extraction in our village,” Gad said.
Incidentally, the panchayat had opposed the sand extraction zone marked by the mines department at Vagalim, Camurlim.
Panchayat members claim that mines department had chosen the site without taking the locals and the panchayat into confidence.
“We want the sand extraction zone to be cancelled and new site selected by taking all the villagers into the confidence,” Gad said.
He said the panchayat has also contacted Goa Foundation to take up the illegal sand extraction matter of the village and file appropriate proceedings before the High Court.
Besides the sarpanch, deputy sarpanch, Divya Parab and panch members, Abhay Pednekar, Tushar Naik, Dashrath Halarnkar and Sharad Gad were also present. One panch member was absent.
