PANAJI
The Bombay High Court at Goa on Thursday directed that each of the five members of the two District Mineral Foundations, assisted by the Water Resources Department and other officials, visit all the villages in the mining areas and assess the water shortage situation.
The directions came in the matter filed by the Goa Foundation alleging that the funds from the District Mineral Foundation be used to provide water to and rein in pollution at Sonshi.
The court has sought that the visits be done in one week and based on the reports and on the recommendation of the DMF members, tankers will commence supply of drinking water to the affected villages.
The court said the DMF should take a pro-active stance in this matter, considering it is the hottest month and water will be very badly needed.
Earlier in April, the High Court had directed that the members of the two district mineral foundations pay a visit to the mining-affected villages “to apprise themselves as to where the assistance and intervention of the Foundations are required.”
The government informed the Court that Pissurlem is being supplied with 750 tanks of 500 litres water each, every day. DMF committee found that the old PWD pipes were unserviced and needed to be replaced.
“We are of the opinion that the members of the District Mineral Foundations should also visit the mining-affected areas and apprise themselves as to where the assistance and intervention of the Foundations is required,” the court had said.
“We urge them to undertake field visits to the mining-affected areas and also have periodical interactions with the mining-affected. This will enable the Foundations to understand the situation at loco and perform its functions better,” the court noted.
The court said petitioner Goa Foundation could move the vacation judge if there was any urgent need to do so.
