the goan I network
PONDA
Requesting the government to replace the year 1957 with 1987 in the Mines and Minerals (Regulation and Development) Act, 1957 as far as Goa’s mines are concerned, mining dependents from Dharbandora taluka believe it would enable mining leases to continue for the next 50 years till 2037.
The members of Dharbandora Taluka Truck Association (DTTA) and sarpanchas of all seven panchayats from Sanvordem constituency on Thursday addressed a news conference in Ponda and placed their demands.
“When the MMDR Act was passed in 1987, the concession year was put as 1957. If this is replaced with the year 1987, then mining can continue till 2037. Hence, Goa government should pass an ordinance in this regards,” DTTA Secretary Yeshwant Bandodkar said.
“We are not opposed to the auctioning process. But till that takes place, the existing mining should continue,” he added.
DTTA President Vinayak alias Balaji Gawas said they have convened a meeting near the ground at Sanjeevani Sakhar Karkhana at Dharbandora on February 18 at 10 am to discuss the ongoing issue.
Gawas appealed to the government to help them tackle the situation.
Others present at the news conference included Collem Sarpanch Gangaram Lambor, Sanvordem Sarpanch Sandeep Pawaskar, Kalem Sarpanch Kishore Desai, Mollem Sarpanch Tanvi Kerkar, Kirlpal Dabal Sarpanch Shakunta Gaonkar, Dharbandora Sarpanch Swati Tilve and Sacorda Sarpanch Neha Kalekar.
