The representative of seven panchayats namely Sanvordem, Collem, Kirlapal Dhabal, Kalay, Rivona and Pissurlem have written to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi saying that NGO Goa Foundation is not the representative of the people of Goa and appealed for immediate resumption of mining in the State.
The letter comes close on the heels of the Goa Foundations’ letter to the prime Minister few days ago.
“We, the representatives of Village Panchayats: Sanvordem, Collem, Kirlapal Dhabal, Kalay, Rivona and Pissurlem (The Mining areas of Goa) are with folded hands, making this appeal to your high office with the humblest request to give necessary directive to the policy makers to ensure immediate resumption of mining in the State of Goa,” the panchayats wrote to the prime Minister Narendra Modi.
They further said in the letter that the State has consistently been mis-represented to various Government agencies and Courts of the Land by an alleged NGO in the name of Goa Foundation.
“Our Panchayats have represented before the Hon’ble Supreme Court stating that Goa Foundation is not representing the people and the Supreme Court has held that because of the representations of the Panchayat, mining can never be stopped in the State of Goa. Our Law Minister had pleaded this case on our behalf before the Hon’ble Supreme Court,” they said.
Further, they informed, that they also pleaded to the Government of India and the Government of Goa to take action against the rogue NGO, Goa Foundation, but till date our requests have not yielded any action.
“We now understand that the same NGO is again mis-representing to the Office of the Prime Minister that he should not listen to the Governor and the Chief Minister of Goa, who are duly elected and appointed to act in our interest. We, who are the Panchayat members of the mining areas of Goa completely stand by the representations made by the Governor, Satya Pal Malik and the Chief Minister, Pramod Sawant and request you Prime Minister Sir to ensure that a solution is provided so that our livelihood can be reinstated to prior to this suspension,” they wrote.