Mining cos asked to pay damages
2 Jul 2008, 0330 hrs IST,TNN

PANAJI: Mining companies will pay Rs 3.40 crore to 761 farmers from
Surla as compensation for crop losses. This is the largest ever
compensation for crop loss in the state.

While disposing of a petition filed by the Surla panchayat and two
others, a division bench comprising Justice S A Bobde and Justice R C
Chavan on Tuesday directed this compensation to be paid to the
farmers. In the initial phase, 502 farmers will receive the
compensation. The rest will have to prove their claims. Counsel for
the petitioner S N Joshi said the claim of 259 farmers is disputed as
they are listed either as owners or occupants and not as cultivators.
These claims can be settled by conciliation and the amount be
disbursed later, he pointed out.

The compensation amount has already been deposited with the court. The
deputy collector of Bicholim has been appointed as commissioner for
the disbursement.

The petition had been filed by the Surla panchayat seeking
compensation for crop loss due to mining activity. It named V M
Salgaocar Mining Pvt Ltd, Chowgule & Co, Sociedade de Fomento, Salitho
Ores Pvt Ltd, D B Bandodkar Pvt Ltd, V S Dempo Pvt Ltd and Timblo
Mining Pvt Ltd in the court. The petitioners said that because of
dumping of mining rejects, crops in adjacent fields had been damaged
and soil adversely affected.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Cities/Goa/Mining_cos_asked_to_pay_damages/rssarticleshow/3186359.cms

* * *

HC turns schoolkid's letter into PIL
1 Jul 2008, 0522 hrs IST,TNN

PANAJI: Treating a letter written by a student regarding
non-availability of text books from standard I to VIII as a PIL, the
High court of Bombay at Goa on Monday has asked the Goa government to
reply on the issue.

The court took cognizance of a letter filed by Siddhant Premanand
Phadte, a Standard VIII student of Bhatikar Model English High School
of Margao, bringing to the notice of the court that many students had
not received the free textbooks. Premanand alleged discrimination in
the supply of books by the department as some schools have got them
while others have not. The student had said that distribution was
lacking especially in Marathi, history and geography textbooks. The
government had earlier assured that the distribution would be
streamlined. But students are still to get their books.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Cities/Goa/HC_turns_schoolkids_letter_into_PIL/rssarticleshow/3182979.cms

* * *

Bailancho Saad flays Margao incident

NT NETWORK

PANAJI ? The Bailancho Saad has strongly condemned the unleashing of
communal violence in Margao after an alleged eve teasing incident and
deplored as shameful the fact that certain sections resorted to
communal violence to address this issue.

The NGO has said that violence against any community cannot be
justified because individuals have committed an offence and such
incidents of violence sends a wrong message to all women that they
should beat up the men, break the furniture, burn the belongings,
stone the houses, attack family members, if any violence is committed
against them by males, whether from within or outside the family and
community.

It felt that a crime is a crime irrespective of whether an outsider or
insider commits it and has to be dealt with within the framework of
law.

While appreciating the leaders from different religions for their
support in stopping casinos, which will destroy the social fabric,
Bailancho Saad appealed to all religious leaders to promote good will
in the same way between communities and impress upon their followers
not to resort to violence.

http://www.navhindtimes.com/articles.php?Story_ID=070199

* * *

Azgaonkar urges youth to inculcate reading habit

NT NETWORK

PANAJI ? The Panchayat Minister Mr Babu Azgaonkar has urged the youth
to create habit of reading and visit local libraries and said he
favored establishing of libraries in villages as these are store
houses of knowledge.

Mr Azgaonkar was speaking after inaugurating library of Satyam Shidabh
Mahila Mandal of Tambose in Pernem taluka yesterday. Speaking further,
Mr Azgaonkar appealed to the youth to invest their valuable time in
reading instead of unproductive activities.

He praised efforts taken by Satyam Shidabh Mahila Mandal to establish
library in the village.

ZP Member, Ms Supriya Mahale, sarpanch Mr Shashikant Mahale, ward
members Ms Vinaya Samant, Ms Seema Khadpe, member of KTC board of
directors Mr Dasharath Mahale, and Mr Suryakant Toraskar spoke on the
occasion.

Miss Simantini Gawande compered while Ms Pooja Salkar proposed the
vote of thanks.

Earlier the minister Mr Azgaonkar laid the foundation stone for
community hall built at an estimated cost of Rs 7 lakh at Kadshi Mopa
in Pernem.

http://www.navhindtimes.com/articles.php?Story_ID=070195

* * *

Smoke inhalation causes death of trio

NT NETWORK

VASCO ? The Vasco police are yet to ascertain the cause of death of
the three labourers who died under tragic circumstances while they
were fast asleep in the railway quarters near Caranzol-Collem railway
station at Dudhsagar on Friday night.

The Vasco railway police provided the names of the three labourers as
Ashok Bhole Barrik (32), Manoj Narsimha Kandi (21) and Sarveshwar
Dhobi Naik (35) The trio were natives of Puri in Orissa.

The Vasco railway police disclosed that the trio lighted coal in their
closed room in order to get rid of the mosquitoes.

Sometime late in the night the smoke suffocated them in their sleep
and they were found dead on June 28 at around 11.30 a.m. by other
labourers. The Vasco railway police when informed of the tragedy
rushed to the site and conducted the inquest panchanama.

In the preliminary investigation, the railway police have ruled out
any foul play and have said that the trio most probably died due to
the suffocation.

The bodies were sent to Hospicio hospital

http://www.navhindtimes.com/articles.php?Story_ID=070189

* * *

Salgaocar allowed to withdraw plea?

NT NETWORK?

PANAJI ? The single judge of the Bombay High Court, Mr Justice N A
Britto allowed the counsel for Mr Anil V Salgoacar to withdraw the
petition challenging the order passed by the judicial magistrate first
class, Panaji.?

Liberty has been given to the petitioner to challenge the order of
JMFC, Panaji before the Sessions Court, Panaji.

The petitioner has to approach the Sessions Court within a period of
two weeks. The state government was represented by public prosecutor,
Mr C A Ferreira. ?

The petitioner had challenged the order dated February 7, 2008 passed
by the JMFC, Panaji whereby the? petitioner was joined as accused and
summons were issued against him in a case filed by the state against?
M/s Salgaoncar Mining Industries Ltd (SMIL).

The magistrate had made the petitioner as accused on an application
filed by the state on the ground that at the relevant time he was the
managing director of the company and hence responsible under Section
16 of the Environment Protection Act (EP Act).?

The original complaint was filed by Mr Sanjeev Khirwar, collector
against SMIL through its managing director alleging that SMIL is the
owner of the vessel M V River Princess, which is grounded? close to
Candolim beach since June, 2000 and has failed to comply? with
directions in contravention of the said? EP Act.?

According to the complainant the vessel had formed a barrier along the
coastline thereby preventing the natural flow of water while causing
grave and serious danger to the ecology and the environment.?

It was also alleged that on February 2, 2001 the state government had
issued directions to SMIL under Section 4 (5) of the EP rules which
the company failed to comply.

http://www.navhindtimes.com/articles.php?Story_ID=070185

* * *

Muslims are tired of supporting Congress: Shaikh

NT NETWORK

PANAJI ? The Bharatiya Janata Party today said that there is a general
perception about Muslims being Congress loyalists and moving away from
the BJP, which has been proved wrong.

The party also stated that it would stress on spreading awareness
among the Muslims about the pseudo-secular role, which Congress is
playing before them.

The desk in-charge of the BJP for party?s Goa Minority Cell, Dr Nahid
Shaikh, addressing a press conference, this evening said that Muslims
are tired of supporting Congress party, which has done nothing for
them except utilise the community as a vote bank.

Today, the Muslim community has moved away from the Congress party and
the BJP will convince the community that Muslims will be much safer
under the National Democratic Alliance government at the Centre.

Speaking further, Dr Shaikh lamented that the Muslim community has
been left behind as most of its members had limited education. ?This
aspect has made it difficult for them to understand certain truths,?
she pointed out.

Dr Shaikh also said that it is more important to make the Muslims in
India aware about these truths, rather than undertake a membership
drive for the party, in order to increase the Muslim members in the
BJP.

http://www.navhindtimes.com/articles.php?Story_ID=070182

* * *

Colva civic forum refuses to rest

NT NETWORK

PANAJI ? The Colva Civic and Consumer Forum, a body protesting against
mega projects in Colva today demanded that no more mega projects
should be allowed in the village and those under construction also be
stopped and demolished.

It also demanded that all those that are illegal be demolished while
conceding that the legal ones could be allowed to continue.

The forum had come to the director of panchayats because today was the
hearing challenging the ex partie stay granted to Akar constructions
in Goa.

Ms Judith of the forum demanded that first the basic infrastructure
like water and lights be settled and only then projects like the one
in question should be allowed to come up in the village.

Another complain was that also these projects drive up the price of
land so that villagers cannot buy land in their own villages and the
demography of the place also changes.

The Colva gram sabha had recently resolved not to allow any mega
projects to come up bowing down to the wishes of the villagers.

The gram sabha had also demanded that no occupancy certificate be
issued to buildings under construction unless the infrastructure like
roads, power, water and garbage are provided for, which was agreed to
by Ms Fernandes who however said that she would follow the law while
doing the same.

At that time Ms Judith had accused the local body of ignoring the
resolutions passed by the gram sabha.

http://www.navhindtimes.com/articles.php?Story_ID=070181

* * *

Goa's mining industry worried about 15% export duty
Agencies
Posted online: Panaji, July 1: IST


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Tuesday , July 01, 2008 at 1622 hrs Centre's decision to impose 15 per
cent export duty on iron ore has worried Goa's mining lobby, which
fears that the industry may face a severe setback on this account.

The duty, effective from June 13, 2008 is applicable to all kinds of
iron ore, irrespective of its iron content. The Central government in
its circular had said that the duty structure is changed to further
strengthen a policy regime that enables conservation of good quality
ore and ensures its availability to domestic industry at a reasonable
price.

But the mining lobby in this tiny coastal state has several
apprehensions regarding the move.

"The increase will severely impact Goan iron ore industry," Goa
Mineral Ore Exporters Association President Shivanand Salgaonar told
reporters here while briefing presspersons in presence of Chairman and
Managing Director of Dempo group of companies, Srinivas Dempo, Sesa
Goa managing director P K Mukharjee and others.

The increased duty will force the producers to stop extraction of low
grade ore and its export, Salgaoncar said. "This will affect the
mining industry in particular and Goan economy in general," he said.

Any effort to curb export of iron ore, without matching domestic
consumption for the ore currently produced would severely affect the
iron ore industry and the employment and economic activity dependent
on it, he added.

Goa is India's largest iron ore exporter with 105 active mining leases
and exports touching a mark of 33 million tonnes annually.

The exporters contend that the current iron ore production in India is
more than sufficient to meet the needs of the domestic steel industry.

"There is in fact a large surplus of production over domestic
consumption and there is ample availability of iron ore resources in
the country," Salgaoncar said.

The mine owners and exporters have objected to the heavy tax on the
low grade ore as Indian steel industry consumes high grade lumps and
fines.

"Goan iron ore is of lower grade which is unfit for consumption by
steel industry hence there is necessity of exports," he said, adding
that "Goan iron ore producers have no option other than export. These
fines, if neither utilized within India nor exported, could pose
environmental problems when stored".

http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Goas-mining-industry-worried-about-15-export-duty/329895/

* * *

Family to launch lectures in memory of Sardesai
Ankita Pandey

Sunil Gavaskar to kick off the lectures on December 16, just before
England's tour of India takes off

MUMBAI: Cricket and Goa are never a perfect match. Until Dilip
Sardesai came along, and changed that with wristy shots and such
masterful play against spin bowling that India took notice. That was
back in the 1960s and 70s but even to this day, the late Sardesai
remains the only Goan to have played for India.

His demise, at the age of 66, on July 2, 2007, was grieved by the
entire nation. On his first death anniversary, the Sardesai family
(wife Nandini, son Rajdeep and daughter Shonali) wants to ensure that
Dilip's memories continue to live on.

Dilip was never one for elaborate rituals, thus the family wants the
day to be a quiet affair spent in remembrance of the man dearest to
them.

In his honour, Nandini, a sociologist and Rajdeep, editor-in-chief,
CNN-IBN, have decided to launch Dilip Sardesai Memorial Lectures.
Similar in conception to the Spirit of Cricket Lecture, instituted by
the MCC in the memory of the late English cricketer Colin Cowdrey,
these will be an annual affair.

It is only befitting that the first of these lectures will be given by
Sunil Gavaskar on December 16, just before England's tour of India
kicks off. England had always been a special opponent for Dilip,
against whom he made his international debut in the Kapur Test on
December 1, 1961. He went on to play 30 Tests, finishing with 2,001
runs at an average of 39.23.

"This was Rajdeep's idea and I think it is apt," Nandini told DNA. "We
hope to invite prominent and articulate speakers for a discourse on
various issues of the game. The CK Nayudu Hall at the Cricket Club of
India (CCI) has already been booked. And there is no better person to
get this started than Sunil Gavaskar, who knew my husband very
closely."

On Wednesday, the family will also pay a visit to the Seva Sadan, an
institution set up in 1908 to protect and empower destitute women and
girls in Mumbai, where they've organised a dinner for over 100 girls.

"We wanted to spend the day in a meaningful way. This institution is
especially close to our hearts," Nandini said. "We are also going to
have talks with the trustees of the institute to set up a scholarship
fund in Dilip's name for the higher education of the girl child."

There are various other funds and awards already been instituted in
the memory of the man many liked to call 'Sardee'.

This year under-19 pacer Dhaval Kulkarni became the first recipient of
the Dilip Sardesai Scholarship. Given by the Mumbai Cricket
Association, the scholarship entails a six-week training stint at the
Australian Cricket Academy.

http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?newsid=1175029&pageid=2

* * *

BJP accused of gaining mileage

NT NETWORK

MARGAO â€" The Margao Block of Congress Committee recently alleged
that BJP workers in Margao tried to gain cheap political mileage by
blowing a minor incident between two individuals out of proportion and
disturbing the communal harmony of the people of Margao.

In a press statement issued here by the president of the Margao Block
of Congress Committee, Mr Dayanand Deulkar has appealed to the
citizens of Margao not to succumb to the pressure of select few who
actually take advantage of situations to settle their personal or
political scores and try to hold the entire city at ransom.

Mr Deulkar further stated that the people of Margao had to face a lot
of hardships, even though they had nothing to do with the incident
that occurred in Davorlim and complimented the collector, Mr G P Naik
and the police department for handling the situation efficiently and
said that prompt action by the police has helped in controlling the
situation which otherwise would have gone out of hand.

http://www.navhindtimes.com/articles.php?Story_ID=070255

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