Panaji: Sand extractors from across Goa, who
have been rendered jobless following a court order banning the
activity, have now approached the state government seeking a
legal way out.
Sand extractors have requested Chief Minister Digambar
Kamat to treat their business as "dredging of river" and not
"mining of sand".
"If you label the activity as dredging then it can
continue without any legal hurdle. A similar model has been
adopted in Maharashtra where certain section of rivers is
given on auction for dredging from where sand is extracted,"
said NCP leader Jitendra Deshprabhu, who leads the sand
extractors.
The delegation of extractors met Kamat on Monday with
their solution.
The extractors stated that since May 14, when local
administration seized their canoes and extraction equipments,
they have been left jobless.
Kamat assured them that the state will find a solution to
the issue within two days.
"I have asked them to give me two days. We will have to
consult law department and (state) environment ministry," he
said.
Sand extractors, who have been mining in the river belt
almost since Portuguese era, had faced a setback when the
Judicial Magistrate First Class, Pernem directed police to
investigate complaints of corruption against government
authorities for not acting against those involved in illegal
sand extraction in coastal regulation zone (CRZ) areas in
Pernem taluka.
PTI
