Fifth - Goa Legislative Assembly

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111. Ruling by the Speaker
The Speaker addressed the House on the extraction of sand as under:
"Honourable Members, Shii Herculano Dourado and Francisco Monte Cruz
had brought to the attention of the Honourable Chief Minister the grave
problem posed by the indiscriminate extraction of sand by holders of mining
leases granted by the Government by a calling attention notice on 1st April, 1980.
It was brought to the notice of the House that uncontrolled extraction of
sand is destroying vast areas of land along the coast posing danger to the
people around. There has been also a, great deal of resentment and alarm from
the people residing in the affected villages on account of this indiscriminate
sand extraction and inaction on the part of the Authorities to curb the situation.
The Authorities have sat, so far as silent spectators to the whole situation
although they are aware through their agencies, of the problem. The Hydro-
grapher in his report to the Captain of Ports after carrying out a necessary
site inspection of the areas, has pointed out that there were various breaches
of the terms of the lease committed by the extractors. In addition, he has also
pointed out that vast damage is caused to properties surrounding the areas
where mining leases have been granted. He has also mentioned that no minor
mineral lease can be granted within a distance of 400 mts. from the beaches .
in terms of the Notification bearing No. 5-108/75-IPD dated 6-11-1975. The
Captain of Ports vide letter of 22nd March, 1980, addressed to the Secretary,
Industries and Labour Department, has cautioned that further damage would .
be caused if the lesee's were allowed to extract sand until the expiry of the
leases.
The Chief Town Planner had addressed a letter on 3rd May, 1978, to the
Development Commissioner and Chairman of Environmental Committee, Go-
vernment of Goa, Daman and Diu, and again in 'a letter of 27th August, 1977,
to the Revenue Secretary made a fervent request to the Industries and Mines
Department to immediately stop this extraction of sand and save the beaches
and the surrounding agricultural lands from permanent damage before it is
too late.
There have been resolutions of Panchayats of villages where the sand
is being extracted, to stop the said activity. I have perused all these Reports
and given due consideration to the views expressed by the Members of this
House. I am of the view that it is incumbent upon the Goa Government to act
immediately to protect the unfortunate people living on the sea coast from
the danger posed to life and property. I would, therefore, urge the Government
to take recourses to the provisions of law including Section 133 of the Criminal
Procedure Code to suspend in the first instance all operations of sand extraction
along the coast and thereafter make the necessary arrangements to cancel the
said leases. Furthermore, to direct the department concerned to process claims
from the owners for damages to their dwelling houses and property including
coconut and cashew plantation as also to level the entire excavated area to
ensure that tidal water and rain water are not filled up as recommended in
the Hydrographer's report dated 19th March, 1980.
I have given this ruling after due consideration of the opinions and sen-
timents expressed by the Members of this House and all the reports submitted