CM urges mining firms to show social responsibility

NT NETWORK
Posted on 2008-08-22
PANAJI - The Chief Minister, Mr Digambar Kamat on Thursday said that the draft mining policy would be available to public scrutiny and for submitting objections and suggestion till December 31, 2008, and called upon the members of the House to come forward with their views so that the issue could be settled once for all to the satisfaction of everybody concerned.
Replying to the queries raised by the members of the House during discussion on the demands for information and publicity, information technology and mining departments held by him, the Chief Minister said that mining was not his creation and that it existed even before he became a minister and that time has come to fix parameters for its operation. The policy would be finalised early next year, he added. He also said that mine owners have to come forward and show their corporate social responsibility by ploughing back some percentage of their earning in to the villages from where they carry out mining activities. He said that following changes in mining policy royalty would be charged ad-valorem by the central government.
As regards to charges of illegal mining in Sanguem taluka, he laid file containing the details of the mine on the table of the House and also the case of difference in collection of royalty. He further denied that prospecting licence or mining lease has been issued to any person in Pernem taluka and that mining lease in Quepem taluka would not be renewed against the wishes of the people.
Mr Kamat announced that the draft advertisement policy of the state for the information and publicity department has been prepared and would be finalised after receiving suggestion, comments from the House members and general public. He also said that scheme for providing computers for journalists has been framed and government approval was awaited. He also said that a fund has been set up to help journalists in distress, especially those who have retired.
The Chief Minister, who now holds the charge of Information Technology also, said that IT was the need of the hour for the state even as he lamented that few IT projects have been put on the hold for one reason or the other and there was need to put them back on the rails. As regards to Rajiv Gandhi IT Habitat at Dona Paula, he said that he would work towards breaking the deadlock over the issue and find a solution to the vexed problem. He also said that he has been given to understand that objection of the people to the project was because some of the land was given to builders for creation of IT facilities, which was misunderstood.
As regards to IT Park at Socorro, he said that the project has got embroiled in litigation. He assured to take House into confidence while taking final decision on whether to terminate contract or rejuvenate as regards to Goa Broadband Network project. The project executed by UTL, Bangalaru-based firm, under public-private partnership has been lingering for a long time now despite several extensions. The House passed the demands by voice vote, when the speaker, Mr Pratapsing Rane, put them to vote on the floor of the House. The cut motions moved by the opposition benches were defeated.