HC reprimands govt for failing to provide drinking water to mining areas

PANAJI: The High Court of Bombay at Goa has rebuked the state government for failing to take appropriate action to provide drinking water to people from mining areas.

The High Court said that the state government should first conduct a survey of all mining-affected villages to find out the need for drinking water.

The state government has submitted before the High Court that survey will be completed by May. The High Court observed that government is supplying water in Sonshi and Pissurlem villages but only after directions to do so. The High Court also observed that Goa government should first conduct a survey of all mining-affected villages to assess the need for drinking water.

The High Court, during an earlier hearing, had asked the District Mineral Foundation (DMF) team members to visit  mining-affected villages particularly areas like Sonshi and Pissurlem to understand the problems and needs of these areas.

It had observed that inspite of collecting amount of Rs 180 crore for the last two and half years, the state did not make the Foundations operational. “We are told that the amounts are invested, but we have not been informed where they are invested. Village after village affected by mining is approaching us for something as basic as drinking water. The mining-affected cannot be made to toil for the benefits which are rightfully theirs and in whose name hundreds of crores of rupees are collected by the Foundations,” the High Court said.