SATARI JAGRUT YUVA MORCHA LASHES OUT AT GOVT IN RE MINING

VALPOI: Members of Satari Jagruk Yuva Morcha (SJYM) have strongly criticized government for maintaining silence on the issue of mining in Satari.  Addressing the media, at a press conference held at Shahid Stamb, Valpoi, Mr Vishwesh Prabhu, working president of SJYM came down heavily on the government over the issue of mining.

Referring to the report published in a local venacular daily that the Environment Ministry had given a green signal for stating mining operations to two new companies in Bicholim and Satari, Mr Prabhu questioned the Chief Minister, Mr Digambar Kamat, who also holds mining portfolio, to be specific as to which mining companies have been granted permissions in Satari, as according to them there is no possibility of establishing any new mines in Satari.

He further said, "If the present government is for aam admi then despite of strong opposition from the people of Satari how the government can allow renewal or setting up of new mining regions in Satari."

"I feel extremely sad that our leaders are indirectly involved in destroying the environment for financial gains," he added.  SJYM also alleged involvement of the Agriculture Minister and Valpoi MLA, Mr Vishwajit Rane in the mining activity in Satari.

The SJYM members said that Mr Rane is supporting the mining activity, which has been noted from his past public statements. The members appealed to Mr Rane to make his stand clear on the mining issue as the people are confounded with his past statements.

Mr Prabhu said, "Mr Rane being an Agriculture Minister must not make statements supporting mining."

Targeting the Bharatiya Janata Party, Mr Prabhu said that during the last by-poll, the party had raised the issue of mining and assured to support anti-mining movement but so far neither the opposition leader, Mr Manohar Parriker nor any of their local leaders came forward and opposed mining.

"It appears that all the leaders want to be on the back foot in this matter. But, to preserve identity and environment, the people of Satari will fight bravely and will not allow any mining activity in this green zone" he thundered.

Mr Ranjeet Rane, an activist and member of SJYM blamed the Kamat government for promoting mining in Satari.  With reference to the news published, he wanted to know as to which companies are permitted to carry out mining in Satari.

Mr Laxman Joshi, speaking on the occasion, highlighted the importance of green cover and explained the consequences of mining.

According to him, mining will largely affect the animals which graze on pastures in such zones, which are now under the dark clouds of mining.  Mr Gabriel D’Costa also opposing mining, questioned the local MLA for being a silent spectator.

Mr D’Costa said, "If there was any technology to convert the land on which the mining rejection is dumped into green agricultural land then there would have been no problem" 

"However devastating our green lands to earn money will not be tolerated," he asserted.  The SJYM has appeal to all the self help groups and mahila mandals from Satari to support the anti-mining movement. Mr Deepaji Rane and Mr Vijay were also present during the press conference.