April 26, 2014
Report restrictive, will affect mining l89% land will be unavailable for development, if agri-lands marked in no development zones
TEAM HERALD
PANJIM: Union Environment Ministers haven’t really been environment friendly to Goa’s Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar. After several bouts with former Environment Minister Jayanthi Natarajan over the cancellations of EC in mining, the Chief Minister is batting to keep the contentious Western Ghats panel report.
The Chief Minister’s letter to Mr Moily, made available to the Herald, reveals a scathing response of a government, which has been badly hit by the mining shut down.
The letter states that the “draft notification issued hurriedly and unilaterally without giving any opportunities to the States to submit a detailed proposal.”
Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar’s letter to the Union Environment Minister Dr M V Moily, bluntly says that the draft notification on the report is not acceptable to the State arguing that it goes against its interest on all fronts.
NOT IN INTEREST OF GOA: The letter stated, “We would like to inform you that the recommendations contained in the report as well as in the said draft notification are not acceptable to the State of Goa as it goes against the interest of the State on all fronts.”
RECALL NOTIFICATION: He requested Mr Moily to recall “all the aforementioned O. M. issued by the MoEF and especially the draft notification dated 10/3/2014 be withdrawn immediately and initiate all further action “only after detailed consultation, deliberation and approval of the State Government.”
GOA’S MAINSTAY, MINING TO BE HIT: The letter emphasized that mining has been going on in Goa since the Portuguese time; and is “the mainstay of Goan economy” – “generating revenue of Rs 1,200 crore per year; and directly and indirectly employs over a lakh of persons in various activities associated with mining and export of iron ore.”
REPORT RESTRICTIVE: Calling the recommendation in the report as “restrictive”, he says that if they are accepted, ignoring local constraints, it is bound to adversely impact mining completely in the State of Goa; “thus ruining the economy of the State and unleashing deprivation due to loss of an income opportunity and employment, leading to below par living standards thereby causing protest and dissent.”
89% LAND TO BE OUT OF BOUNDS: “If agricultural land is to be considered as a ‘No Development Zone’, almost 89% of the areas will be unavailable for further development.” http://www.heraldgoa.in/News/Local%20News/Western-Ghats-report-will-ruin-Goa-rsquo-s-economy-CM/88050.html
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