A Division Bench of the Bombay High Court at Goa on Monday directed the Chief Engineer, Goa Public Works Department, to inspect the problems in the mining-affected Sonshi village and submit a report to the court on Wednesday.
The bench of Justices N.M. Jamdar and Prithviraj K. Chavan said the Chief Engineer must be accompanied by the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), North Goa, Secretary.
Previous hearing
Earlier, the court had directed the DLSA Secretary to visit Sonshi and file a report on the availability of water to residents, and on the implementation of the court’s directions for immediate supply of water up to 600 litres per day. Based on that report, the court had asked the PWD Principal Chief Engineer to remain present. The Chief Secretary was directed to file an affidavit on the funds available with the District Mineral Foundation and how they were spent.
Petitioner’s demands
The court is hearing a public interest litigation filed by the environmental group Goa Foundation seeking supply of water to Sonshi, rehabilitation of the village and implementation of the DMF scheme. The petitioner told the court that not a single rupee of the total ₹140 crore available with the two district foundations had been spent on the welfare of communities in the villages.
In another matter related to villagers from Shirgao, the court directed the DSLA and mining companies to demarcate paddy fields that were submerged in mining silt for years. The villagers have demanded that their fields be restored.
