PANJIM: Thirty seven villages are not getting potable water (through the public water system) even after 50 years of self-rule, Public Works Development Minister Ramakrishna Sudin Dhavalikar told t

PANJIM: The halt in mining activities in the State has resulted in a revenue shortfall of only around Rs 279 crore for the period from April 2012 to December 2012, Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar said in a written reply tabled on the Floor of the House. The state has managed to earn revenue of around Rs 335.95 crore for the ongoing financial year from mines, both major and minor minerals.

Government had collected Rs 1,076 core for the calendar year 2011 as mining royalties. Parrikar also said that the mining contribution to the gross state domestic product was 19.8% in 2010-11.

PANJIM: While demanding recovery of money from mine owners, former Karnataka Lokayukta Justice Santosh Hegde has criticized government decision of providing financial packages to the mining-depende

PANJIM: Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar Thursday launched a scathing attack on environmentalists claiming they should not criticize the government on mining while ‘sitting in AC rooms’.

In his reply to the discussion on the Budget 2013-14, Parrikar claimed that mining industry was very crucial to strengthen the financial status of Goa. “I am not supporting the mine owners but for that (sins of mine owners) why should the common man be punished?” he asked.

PANJIM: BJP Legislator Vishnu Wagh Wednesday called on mine owners to share half the financial burden for compensating the people affected due to closure of mining industry in the State, questioning why State government alone should share the burden.

Speaking during the general discussion on the Budget for 2013-14, Wagh asked, “What responsibility do mine owners have towards their workers who are rendered jobless now? Let the government compensate 50 percent and the rest be done by the mining companies,” he said supporting the government’s packages to the affected people.

PANJIM: The Directorate of Mines and Geology is working on a proposal not to allow applications for mining leases, prospecting licences or reconnaissance permits in areas covered under previous con

PANJIM: Contrary to popular perceptions, it was not just 2012-13, in which negative growth in mining revenue led to fall in State’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and Net Domestic Product (NDP), but negative growth was witnessed in 2011-12, even when mining ban was not in force.

Revenues recorded negative growth of 6.43 percent (GDP) and 10.95 per cent (NDP), in 2012-13, the just released Economic Survey reads. Although the revenue collection from mining areas has decreased, the economic measures adopted by the state government have negated the impact to some extent, it added. The Economic Survey 2012-13 was tabled on the Floor of the House on Monday.

Promising corrective action vis-à-vis pollution in the Cuncolim Industrial Estate, Environment Minister, Alina Saldanha has said she would personally visit the Estate next week to take stock of the situation on the pollution front.

Speaking to newsmen at Chinchinim on the sidelines of the awareness program on Garbage management, Saldanha said the situation is indeed alarming if pollution have affected the health and life of the local populace. “I am going to see that corrective measures are taken in the industrial estate immediately. I will visit the Industrial estate by the weekend”, she said.

Proposes assignment for students on waste collection

Asserting that the high level task force is in the process of finalizing the right technology for setting up two waste treatments plants in the state, Environment Minister, Alina Saldanha on Sunday said a proposal is put forth before the Education Department to consider waste collection exercise by students from their homes as an assignment which will make them eligible for marks in the subject of science or environmental science.

Wet waste disposed off in plastic bags in dust bins has not only thrown up a problem for the waste handlers at Sonsodo, but has kicked up a row of sorts over the functioning of the waste treatment plant.

If foul odour continues to emanate from Sonsodo along with high percentage of recyclable rejects, Fomento Green blames it on the wet waste disposed off by house holds everyday.