PERNEM
The government should allow legal permission to restart the traditional sand mining business at Tiracol and Chapora rivers in Pernem, and until then, there should be a ban on the transportation of sand from other States, demanded the sand miners in Goa at a press conference at Poraskade Nhaibag.
The sand miners Eknath Teli, Rupesh Majrekar, Suraj Teli, Dipak Haldankar, Soma Mulgaonkar, Dyneshwar Haldankar were present at the press briefing.
Rupesh Manjrekar stated that there has been no opportunity for traditional sand mining at Tiracol river, and the sand miners are now unemployed.
“We purchased the boats borrowing loans and keeping our gold mortgage. The Court orders have banned the business, and we are out of a job now. The government should immediately issue legal permissions for the sand excavation in the river and allow us to restart our business. Until then, the sand import from other states should be put on hold. The locals should be given priority for doing the business,” he demanded.
Suraj Teli also endorsed the same demand of allowing the business to restart. The High Court has taken note of the issue of sand mining. The government should restart the business thinking in a sympathetic manner. Also, the canoes/boats that are to be demolished according to the High Court orders should be returned to the sand miners, appealed Teli.
Teli further said that the sand miners are willing to take permission for sand mining, and no one among them is involved in illegal sand mining. Demanding cooperation from all sections of society, Teli appealed to all to help support traditional sand mining.
Eknath Teli said that the sand miners have submitted their proposal and demands to local MLA Pravin Arlekar, who is trying to intervene in the matter and start talks with the government.
