PANJIM: The Chief Minister has thrown his entire might behind the man the government bent over to please by denotifing his land marked for airport parking. In a blatant defiance, in the face of serious allegations of “other considerations” which led to such favoritism, Digambar Kamat said at a meeting to discuss the issue on Wednesday, “Reversing the decision on de-notification of Costa land is ruled out, let us look out for an alternative site,”

The Goa Mines and Geology Department has ordered the suspension of two iron ore and bauxite mines which found mention for alleged illegality in the controversial Public Accounts Committee (PAC) draft report.

The eight teams of Shah Commission, probing illegal mining in Goa, have completed almost 75 per cent of the work relating to inspection of mines, officials said adding that the work would be completed this weekend.

Only 13 out of 40 mines, which have been served the order to stop operations for failure to obtain forest or wildlife clearances, were actually in operation, while 27 are non working, according to information provided to Goa Foundation (GF) by mines department under RTI.

Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) has submitted a list of 40 mines to GF, which are been directed to suspend operations till they produce approval of Chief Wildlife Warden and forest clearances.

Yet another case of illegal iron-ore mining in a wildlife sanctuary has come under the scanner in Goa.

The Digambar Kamat-led government appears determined to acquire land admeasuring 1.20 lakh square meters for the proposed multi-utility project despite stiff opposition from the villagers.
This became evident on Wednesday when the government ordered the South Goa district Collector to acquire the land in question.

The district authorities have finally set in motion the process to put in place a district traffic plan for South Goa.
District Magistrate G P Naik on Tuesday issued directions to Sub-Divisional Magistrate and representatives of various government agencies to suggest proposals to formulate a traffic policy for the entire district.

South Goa District Collector, G P Naik has sought a detailed report from the Tourism Department on the plan of action to lift away tar balls collected at various locations along Salcete

Pointing out the adverse impact of mining on livelihood of locals and the ecology, the National Environment Appellate Authority (NEAA) has quashed the clearance given to the Careamol iron mine in South Goa.