the goan I network
PONDA
Samruddhi Gauns, a science student and daughter of ZP member Shubescha Shamba Gauns from Pali-Usgao, has appealed to parents and students to join the protest rally by mining dependents at the Secretariat on March 14.
Samruddhi, a Std 11 student, on Tuesday along with her mother addressed a news conference and said the student community has been suffering as their parents could not afford school fees due to a suspension of mining activity.
“Students from the mining belt are suffering due to suspension in mining activity and are not in a position to pay exam fees. There are many such cases and hence, their academic year is suffering,” said Samruddhi.
Samruddhi, who is the daughter of a mining dependent, requested other parent and students to join the morcha by mining dependents on March 14.
Samruddhi said she did her schooling in her village and went to Ponda to pursue further education. “There are many who can’t pay exam fees,” she said.
Shubhescha Gauns said that as ZP member, she has been moving in the locality and has seen how people have been suffering due to a suspension in mining activity.
“People have sold their gold ornaments to pay loans and to repair trucks. Now, they are acutely affected and there is no sign of mining resumption,” she said.
