Pale farmers vow to stop mining activities
Say compensation for destroyed fields has not been given
THE GOAN NETWORK
PONDA
Farmers from Ambegal-Pale in Bicholim have threatened to stop activities of a mining company in Bicholim, if they are not paid compensation for damage caused to agriculture due to mining.
Addressing a news conference in the city on Thursday, the members of Navdurga Farmers Association (NFA) alleged that the mining company had stopped giving them compensation.
“The company had started paying compensation since 2001 and it was regular till 2011. About 1 lakh square metres of agriculture land in our area is polluted due to mining activities. About 72 members are facing problems, but the company is not bothered about our plight,” said NFA president Bhingo Gawas.
Another member, Prabhakar Gawas, said the zonal agriculture office had submitted a report and had suggested that compensation of Rs 3 per square metre for kharif season and Rs 3 for rabi season be given to the farmers.
“The Bicholim mamlatdar had ordered a compensation of Rs 6 per square metre annually, but the company stopped it since suspension of mining activities in the State,” said Gawas.
Gawas has threatened to stop fresh mining activities of the company if their demand is not met.
“We all are united under one banner and now we will not keep quiet. They have destroyed our fields, which can’t yield anything now. If the company can pay salaries to its staff, then how can they sideline us,” asked Gawas.
The NFA members said the company was supposed to pay them about Rs 24 lakh, but despite several requests and intimations from the mamlatdar, the issue had been sidelined.
“We will not allow the company to start fresh mining, if they don’t pay our compensation,” warned NFA.
