the goan I network
VALPOI
Union Ayush Minister Shripad Naik on Wednesday said he would raise the issues of mining and vermin in the upcoming parliament session, while also assuring to frame a policy on both issues.
Reacting to demands made by former minister Venkatesh Desai after inaugurating the Community Hall at the Shriram Devasthan constructed from MPLAD funds at Khadki-Sattari, Naik said the destruction of agriculture by wild animals is a major issue confronting farmers in the talukas of Sattari, Bicholim, Sanguem and Pernem.
Desai had said the closure of mining activity had severely affected various sectors in Goa, adding to growing unemployment in the process.
He added that since the last couple of years, farmers from Sattari taluka had been hit by heavy losses as wild animals would stray into their
properties and destroy fields and cultivations. He had requested the union minister to frame a policy decision on both issues.
In his reply, Naik said the closure of mining was not due to any government decision, but the NGOs had played an important role regarding the closure of mining in the State.
“The State government is trying its level best to restart mining and I will be making extra effort to restart mining in the State,” said Naik.
Turning his attention to the vermin issue, the union minister said humans have encroached into wildlife and have destroyed the natural habitat of wild animals, forcing these wild animals to stray into human habitations in Sattari taluka.
He appealed to people to preserve the environment as it is an important factor for the survival of human life.
Others present at the event included former deputy speaker Narahari Haldankar Nagargao ZP member Premnath Hazare, Khotoda Sarpanch Omprakash Barve local panchas Sharda Harijan, Rajesh Gaonkar, Rajesh Paryekar, Chairman of Shri Ram High School Vishwasrao Rane and the Shriram Devasthan Trust Chairman Appasaheb Rane.
On the occasion, Rishikesh Nangare who excelled in the SSC exams from Sattari taluka was felicitated by the union minister. Appasaheb Rane, Ganpatrao Rane and Rajesh Rane also spoke at the function.
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