CURCHOREM
who had been in the forefront of stopping ore transportation at Cavrem village, had allegedly taken money from a mining company during the past few years. “Four major mines are located in Maina (ward 5) and not in Cavrem village. Therefore, the claims made by Cavrem village about insisting on ore-transportation contract to be handed to a Cavrem cooperative society is simply not acceptable. The real affected people from a halt in mining activity are from Maina and not from Cavrem village, which is located 2-3 kms before the mining area starts,” said Phaldessai. “There has been little mining-related benefits given to these people even though four mines are located in our ward. Some people from Cavrem, who are stopping ore transportation activity, do not have the right to insist that ore transportation be handed over to their Cavrem cooperative society,” said Phaldessai. Commenting on the recent agitation by Cavrem locals, Rajendra Phaldessai claimed that Cavrem-Pirla panch, Velip had taken around Rs 23 lakh from a mining company in 2012. “And now, he is trying to stop ore transportation by giving reasons such as ore transportation contract and environmental pollution. In fact, Maina locals need the assistance, and the money benefitted from mining activities should be utilised for the development of Maina ward,” Phaldessai added. Another person, Shivanand Dessai, accused Velip of trying to obstruct e-auctioned ore with the help of NGOs. “With the assistance of a few NGOs, Velip is trying to obstruct e-auctioned ore transportation which is taking place on the directives of the court,” said Dessai. “Velip claims that ore-transportation from Cavrem is illegal and that it will create environmental pollution. But by giving the transportation contract to their Cavrem cooperative society, will ore-transportation from Cavrem suddenly become legal and will environmental pollution come to a stop?” wondered Dessai. “A few days ago, a group of locals from Cavrem met Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar and gave him the impression that the mines are located in Cavrem. I feel that government should enquire into this matter and should know that all four mines are located at Maina. Hence, the people of Mina should be given benefits,” Dessai added. A local, Mangesh Devidas, said that over 40 people along with him are working in a mining company. “Many people have purchased trucks and their financial condition is not sound. If mining activity starts in Maina, it should benefit locals of Maina. But if a few people stop ore transportation, it will affect all locals of Maina,” he added. “Some amount from the benefits of mining should be utilised for the welfare of the Maina ward. “Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar should visit Maina area and see for himself the location of the mines and ensure justice to mining-affected locals of Maina,” said Devidas.
