Job scene: Not so rosy

A total of 1,20,703 candidates are registered with the Goa employment exchange since 2005, of which only 8,314 candidates have got jobs till now, putting the average placement percentage at a meagre 6.88.

According to officials at the employment exchange office in Panaji, there are, on an average, 120 new registrations at the exchange daily, most of it are done at the Panaji office with a few at the Margao office.

The silver lining in the grim stats is that there has been an increase in the placement percentage from the years 2005-2006, when it hovered around 3%, which rose to 11.73% in 2007. It climbed down to 7% in 2008-2009 and last year, rose to a reassuring 10.23%. The employment exchange registers candidates seeking jobs both in public and private sectors.

Although, "private companies do not respond to our recommendations," said an official. Speaking to TOI, he said that private companies come under the purview of the Compulsory Notification of Vacancies Act and are bound by law to notify their vacancies to the employment exchange.

But, they are not bound to take in a candidate registered with the exchange, even if the person fits the company's requirement.

Same is the case with government recruitments, according to officials at the employment exchange. "Earlier, government departments employed based on the recommendation of the employment exchange.

After a Supreme Court ruling that said that government departments should compulsorily notify the employment exchange but could also, simultaneously, advertise in the media, the recruiting departments are not bound by the recommendations of the employment exchange," says an official.

There is little advantage in registering with the exchange except that the candidate is 'armed' with a registration card and a number that has to be produced during interviews. The result, when it comes to placements, is nothing great to write home about.

The employment exchange periodically conducts talks on different courses available in Goa and outside the state for youth and school children. Information on many popular and unpopular courses such as ITI courses, diplomas with polytechnic colleges, bachelor courses in agriculture and horticulture, library science, nutrition and dietetics etc., are given. Career counselling is given to some candidates during registration and the exchange has one assistant employment officer for vocational guidance.

Candidates have to renew their registration every three years and if they have acquired any new qualifications, they can update their records with the exchange. To register, one needs a 15-year residence certificate, qualification certificate in original and other original certificates showing caste, sporting achievements, etc if applicable. The original copies are returned after registration.

In & Out ...

Beleagured NCP leader Jitendra Deshprabhu was discharged from the Goa Medical College (GMC) and Hospital, Bambolim, on Tuesday evening and taken to the crime branch, Dona Paula, for interrogation.

Sources said that GMC doctors had discharged Deshprabhu on Tuesday morning and he was taken to the Agasaim police lock-up. However, within a few hours he complained of chest pain and was again shifted to GMC.

"In the evening, the GMC doctors discharged him and then he was taken to the crime branch," police sources said.

Deshprabhu was arrested after the additional district and sessions court rejected his anticipatory bail plea. However, soon after his arrest he was admitted to GMC as he complained of uneasiness.

The NCP leader is the prime accused in a multi-crore illegal mining case where iron ore was illegally extracted from his property (an open plot) in Pernem taluka. Deshprabhu has moved the high court for bail and the matter will be heard on Wednesday.

The crime branch, investigating the case, has already rounded up Gitesh Naik, who worked with Deshprabhu as a contractor to transport the ore.

The mines and geology department had earlier confirmed the illegal ore extraction and slapped a 1.7 crore fine on Deshprabhu. The high-profile leader from North Goa had ignored summons issued to him to appear before the investigating officer.

Courtesy: Times of India

CEC @ Chitradurga

Everything seemed to be in order and there was no chaos at the mines belonging to SESA Goa, BBH and John Mines at D Madakaripura, Megalahalli and Bheemasamudra villages of the district on Monday, as ore extraction and transportation had remained suspended for a week in the wake of visit of the Supreme Court-appointed Central Empowered� Committee (CEC).

The CEC, which landed in the district on Sunday to assess the damages caused by mining activities on the environment, moved across 11 mines and gathered enough necessary information. The team will visit some mining areas in Hosadurga taluk on Tuesday before moving to Tumkur district.

On Monday, the team was led by member Mahendra Vyas, principal chief conservator of forests Dr U V Singh and director of department of mines and geology H R Srinivas. Committee chairman P V Jayakrishnan, who showed signs of uneasiness during his return on the first day of the visit, was staying at Jogimatt forest guest house.� The team, which entered SESA Goa Mines at 10 am went to John Mines through internal routes, and came out at BBH Mines. Then, they visited Narahari Mines, Janthakal Mines, Mahabalesh Mines, Pooja Mines and Anjana Mines.


Transportation stopped

During the team’s visit, transportation of ores was completely stopped. For the last three days, not a single ore-laden track moved to Sasalu railway station where empty bogies are stationed. The railway station was the hub of activities.

SESA Goa (A Narrain Mines), John Mines and BBH Mines used to transport ore only through wagons.

Hundreds of residents from the neighbouring villages were present during the CEC visit to SESA Goa at Megalahalli. Even before the media could question them, they approached media persons and said mines were providing basic infrastructure in the area such as schools, public toilets, hospitals, roads and drinking water, besides helping students by issuing books and uniforms.

They also said, SESA Goa was involved in helping farmers grow crops by alternative methods, and was asking people not to stop mining activities. Sources said that the team questioned the SESA Goa officials about covering waste dumps with� coir mats and lack of firm growing trees in the leased areas.

Later, during the teams’ visit to John mines, they discovered some difference over the marking of boundary and the increase of width in road at BBH mines.

Media at bay

The media was kept at bay by the police and private security guards at the mines. They were not even allowed till the gate. Some mine employees even tried to snatch cameras of media persons.

Courtesy: IBNLIVE.com

Private ports in Goa!

After the decision of shrinking the boundaries of Mormugao Port Trust (MPT), the biggest port in the state, Goa government has now decided to encourage development of minor ports in the state.

State cabinet today resolved that the Captain of Ports Department would identify the areas around the state, where minor ports could be developed.

"We can later develop these ports by inviting private bidders," chief minister Digambar Kamat told reporters today.

Goa government''s move comes a fortnight after it took a historical decision of approaching the Union Ministry of Shipping with the demand to curb the jurisdiction of MPT.

The MPT has been facing jurisdiction issues with the state government and Kamat had said that it should restrict its activity to the port area and not all across the state.

The jurisdiction of MPT was defined in the year 1961.
Briefing the media after the cabinet meeting, the Chief Minister today said that the exact number of minor ports that could be allowed in the state would be decided only after the Captain of Port Department returns with a detailed study on the issue.

Courtesy: PTI, August 8, 2011

Form own mining policy; Guv to Goa CM

Warning that mining is directly affecting the environment in Goa, governor S S Sidhu on Wednesday urged the state government to have a policy framework in place at the earliest. Sidhu also urged that Goa should work towards becoming the first "plastic-free" state in India, an official press release said.

Presiding over the 19th Goa state environment protection council meeting at Raj Bhavan, Dona Paula, Siddhu called for all-out efforts to protect the state's environment.

Siddhu said that the state government should go ahead with forming its own policy to regulate mining which may be aligned with the central government policy on mining when it is finalized.

The Goa state environment protection council deliberated at length on issues like enforcement of prohibition on smoking in public places, status of River Princess, waste management in urban and rural areas, control on use of plastics, regional plan 2021, coastal protection measures, Mhadei wildlife sanctuary and the proposal to declare it as a tiger reserve and the Mhadei water diversion dispute.

Chief minister Digambar Kamat said that persistent efforts by his government moved the centre to constitute a tribunal to adjudicate on Mhadei river diversion issue. Kamat assured that the remaining portion of the stranded ship "River Princess", will be removed after the monsoons.

Stating that top priority is being given for the protection of Goa's coast, Kamat said maximum funds from the Golden Jubilee package were being used to combat beach erosion. Kamat also said his government's efforts had prompted the union government to impose a moratorium on issuing fresh mining leases in Goa. He said that 'air and water consent' is not being given to non-operational mines.

Kamat said efforts were on to expedite the GAIL pipeline in Goa lest the project is lost to the state due to delays. He assured that no forest land would be diverted until the forest policy was finalized. Kamat also assured to take all stakeholders into confidence while deciding on the Centre's suggestion to declare the Mhadei wild life sanctuary as a tiger reserve.

Courtesy: Times of India, July 28, 2011

1798 hecatres Goa forest land for mining

The central government has given its final approval for the diversion of 1,797.65 hectares of forest area in Goa for mining activities under the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980, in 48 cases during the period of January 1, 1980 to August 3, 2011, minister of state for environment and forests (independent charge) Jayanthi Natarajan stated in a written reply in the Lok Sabha.

While five cases involving 147.0 hectares have been accorded in-principle approval, the total area sought to be diverted works out to 1,944.65 ha in 53 cases, Natarajan stated in a reply to a question tabled by MP Syed Shahnawaz Hussain.

In all, the central government has so far accorded 1,718 approvals under the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980, for diversion of 1,42,022.06 ha of forest land for mining in the country. The minister stated that the government has stopped issuing new licenses for mining and the existing leases will not be renewed after their expiry.

All mining proposals involving more than 5.00 ha or more land, need to obtain environmental clearance in accordance with the provisions of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, and the EIA notification, 2006, issued there under.


Assessment of the impacts of proposed mining activities in terms of damage to dense forest areas, other environmental impacts, effect on local population etc, and preparation of an Environmental Management Plan (EMP) containing provisions to mitigate the identified impacts are an integral part of the process for grant of environment clearance to mining projects. Environment clearance accorded to the mining projects is subject to the condition that the project proponent executes mitigation measures indicated in the EMP.

Courtesy: Times Syndication Service, August 9, 2011

Round Table Discussion-1

Thematic discussion-Round table with civil society, industry and government of Goa on 27th September 2010

The Panel observed the following points raised by the two major groups:

Points raised by the Goa Foundation and other Environmental Groups:


1. The mining license given prior to 1980 have to be revisited and cancelled
2. All the Wildlife Sanctuaries in the State should be declared under Ecologically
Sensitive Area
3. License given for mining inside the Sanctuaries should be cancelled
4. If there are any orders for de-notifying any area from the existing sanctuaries for any purpose, including mining shall be revoked in line with the recommendations of the Supreme CEC
5. Proposal of the Goa team to declare the four sanctuaries along with adjacent areas
as a tiger reserve may be recommended by the WGEEP.
6. The proposal of the SESA recommending the four Sanctuaries to be notified as ESA
shall be revisited incompliance with the criteria developed for the whole of the
Western Ghats by the WGEEP and also considering the proposal of the State
Pollution Control Board given in its Environment and Zoning Atlas. Copies of the
above proposals should be obtained by the WGEEP
7. Sacred Groves and Ecosystems of Sads should be declared as ESAs
8. Lateritic plateaus in Goa are rich in biodiversity and hence, should be considered for ESA
9. Mining in the Thalvadi Irrigation project must be stopped
10. The Goa Government’s proposal for “Zero buffer” for the Sanctuaries shall be
rejected outright and fixed at 10 km
11. There is an indication of increasing incidence of human-wildlife incidence which
should also be considered while recommending the area for buffer zone
12. Mining leases with in three km radius of the wildlife sanctuaries should be
terminated
13. Mining leases in the Selaulim Dam should be revoked
14. No mining should be permitted in the Forest Working Plan Divisions of North and
South Divisions.
15. No forest clearance should be given for mining as there is no land available for
compensatory afforestation and, moreover, compensatory afforestation schemes
have been a failure
16. Mining causes depletion of ground water leading to water scarcity in the area e
introduction of Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972 and the Forest Conservation
Act 1

Points raised by the Federation of Indian Minerals Industries (FIMI) Southern Region:

1. Delineation of the Western Ghats needs to be put down on a map which has to be
tied to the coordinates of the Survey of India topo-sheets.
2. Similarly, the boundaries of Wild Life Sanctuaries and National Parks have to be
accurately defined so that there is no confusion on the ground.
3. The developmental needs of the people and the states have to be considered always
keeping in mind the ecological and environmental concerns.
4. Mining and agriculture are the only two activities which create value out of mother earth. If minerals are not extracted, their worth is the same as mud.
5. The employment potential of mining is huge as apart from the persons directly
employed, an army of people are engaged in loading, transportation and ore
treatment plants. It also spawns ancillary activities like workshops, eateries, schools and hospitals. It is estimated that for every person directly employed, ten other jobs are generated.
6. There are also many environmental friendly technologies available. The use of
ripper/ dozers or “surface miners” obviate the need for blasting. In certain deposits, underground mining is an option and the environmental impacts are much less in that case than in open-cast mining.
7. Transportation also plays a major role in pollution. Alternatives like conveyors and aerial ropeways can be considered particularly in hilly terrain.
8. A point to be considered is that in the absence of economic activities, the youth
particularly tend to get disaffected and led astray. A case in point is that after the closure of Kudremukh, naxalism has raised its head in the area.
9. Therefore, FIMI’s suggestion is to declare the present sanctuaries and parks as ecosensitive areas and leave the rest of the Western Ghats for developmental activities.
10. FIM, from the responsible mining industry, will pledge to follow sound mining
practices and participate in the overall development of the areas.
11. Not only will mines comply with all environmental laws, many are already going
beyond what is statutorily laid down.
12. The mining industry is also willing to contribute 26% of the royalty (over and above the royalty) towards a Development Fund to be channelized into the areas around the mining areas. It will also follow the Relief and Rehabilitation policy of the government.
13. On the exports of iron ore, FIMI categorically stated that 90% of exports are fines and inferior grades which no domestic producer of iron will touch. If a product can be sold economically domestically, which producer will like to export and that too after paying export duty?

Both the parties expressed their willingness to cooperate with the WGEEP for any
further discussion on the issue.

Following the discussion, Dr Vijayan observed that although the economic return from the mining activities have been highlighted, there apparently have no comprehensive study on the loss/impact on the environment, human health, ground water, biodiversity and, other aspects of the ecology. Till such a study is done there has to be a moratorium on mining.

The Panel decided to discuss the matter further at the next meeting of the WGEEP
scheduled on 28 and 29 October at Pune.

The Panel members expressed their satisfaction on a very meaningful round table
discussion with civil society, industry and government of Goa with a specific focus on iron ore mining in Goa Western Ghats. Dr. Ligia Noronha brought to the notice of the panel that for the Goa meeting, site visit and round table, she had written to government officials on 7 September 2010 by email but got no response from them. Dr. G.V.Subrahmanyam, Advisor, MoEF had also written to Secretary (Environment) Goa
informing about the meeting of the Panel. The Panel noted the lack of responsiveness of the state government officials.

d) Site visits to iron mines in Goa and Mahadei and Bhagavan Mahavir Wildlife
Sanctuary

The Panel members along with officials of the State Forest Department had site visits to the forest and mining regions on the 28th. The Panel members visited the Sankelim iron ore mines of Sesa Goa and were shown the activities in place, for ecological restoration in this non active mine. It was also shown an active new mine that has commenced in the area made profitable due to the increased demand from China and the rise in iron ore prices. Unfortunately the Panel was unable to see other active mines, despite requests to the Goa Government to arrange for a more detailed visit to the mining region. However, the Panel was given detailed presentations and documentation by non governmental organizations, and also got responses by the mining industry to issues raised by NGOs on the 27th on mining in Goa. This is documented in the note on that consultation.

The Panel members also visited the Mahadei Sanctuary, Anjuna Dam area and fringes of
Bhagavan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary to understand the proposal of State Forest
Department on notification of ecologically sensitive area around these Sanctuaries. The Panel noted the proximity of some of the mines to the Sanctuaries and reflected on some of the impacts that this proximity could have on the forests. The impact of mining on wildlife corridors was also discussed with State forest officials.

Source: http://moef.nic.in/downloads/public-information/mom-6-western-ghats.pdf

Wildllife Buffer Zone-2

Goa is a state with a land mass of roughly 3,700 square km, small by Indian standards. Of this, 755 square km is occupied by six wildlife sanctuaries and a national park, that is nearly one-fifth of the state. An economy growing at the rate of nearly 10 per cent per year has placed enormous pressure on land resources.

A burgeoning building industry and uncontrolled mining have added a dimension that is worrying. Now with the Ministry of Forest and Environment (MoEF) introducing stricter guidelines for protection of sanctuaries and national parks, the state could be in a bit of a quandary–caught between the need to protect the environment and development pressures.

The new guidelines envisage a 10 km buffer zone around sanctuaries and national parks and the formation of a committee comprising the wildlife warden, an ecologist and a revenue department official to suggest the contours of the eco-sensitive zone (ESZ). The guidelines have their genesis in a decision taken by the National Board for Wild Life in March 2007 and are aimed at creating a buffer zone around sanctuaries where development could be regulated.

Goa has sought certain relaxations. Presently, mining, saw mills, polluting industries, hydropower projects and certain tourism related activities are prohibited. Of all these prohibitions, it is mining that will ultimately decide the future course of the guidelines, because governments, past and present, have shown little or no will to reign in the mining barons. Fear of a ban on mining is also holding back the Maharashtra government from notifying the ESZs.

Being a small state there is limited space for creating an interface between habitation and the forests. This situation is by no means unique to Goa.

The proposal for a buffer around the Sanjay Gandhi National Park in Borivali and the Great Indian Bustard Sanctuary in Sholapur were rejected because clusters of buildings and apartments in the vicinity. Recently, Goa faced strong opposition over plans to reclassify the Cotigao Wild Life Sanctuary and Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary as critical wild life habitats.

There are two kinds of fears associated with any decision concerning forest protection. One is that the new classification will open the back door to construction. The second is that it will restrict access to areas and block economic activity.

The dilemma for the states of Goa and even Maharashtra is that the Western Ghats, which have been designated as a bio-diversity hot spot is also rich in minerals, especially iron ore deposits. There is considerable pressure to permit mining in areas close to the existing sanctuaries.

Transparency is always the best way of taking forward complex decisions of this sort. The guidelines are flexible in the sense that the 10 km rule is not absolute and a certain amount of deviation will be allowed, provided it is well thought out and not initiated only to save mining interests.

Creation of buffer zones is essential. However, for this to start the government must constitute the committees and get on with the work of surveying the area.

This will not be very difficult as the bulk of the work has already been completed by the Task Force for RP-2021 and the State Level Committee.

It is only on completion of the survey that the government will be in a position to decide what concessions are required.
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Courtesy: Navhind Times, February 20, 2011

Wildlife Buffer Zone-1

The National Wildlife Board (NWB) has rejected the Goa government’s proposal to have zero buffer zone around the wild life sanctuaries in the State and has reportedly asked the state authorities to rework its report.

The state government’s proposal prepared by Rajiv Yaduvanshi that recommended that the buffer zone around the wild life sanctuaries should be zero kms was interpreted by many as aimed to help the mining lobby in the state which has been having a free run.

While relaxing the 10 kms buffer zone criterion for Goa, the NWB has said that the State cannot excuse itself from having a buffer zone and has asked for a fresh proposal specifying the buffer zone around the wild life sanctuaries.

The Yaduvanchi report of 2007 had recommended zero buffer zone on grounds that Goa being a small state cannot have buffer zone and also that the wild life sanctuaries are surrounded by human habitation.

Goa has seven wild life sanctuaries approximately covering an area of 677.5 sq. kms.

Courtesy: Goa Chronicle, 22 June 2011

Goa Pollution Control Board-1

The Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) has directed 19 mines to shut down their operations in the absence of consent under the Air and Water Pollution Control Act.

The GSPCB Chairman, Mr Simon De Souza, said the mines have been asked to shut down their operations immediately after receiving the notice.

“They will be allowed to restart only after getting the consent under the Air and Water Pollution Control Act,” he said.

According to board officials, the notice for 16 more mines to stop operations would also be issued anytime soon.

In all, 35 out of about 105 mines in the state were found to be operating without the mandatory consent under environment laws.

The Bombay High Court had recently asked GSPCB to suspend the operations of these mines, which are working without getting consent under the Act. The closure of these mines would prove a major setback for the iron ore export trade.

Goa exported 54 million tonnes of ore during the last financial year collecting a royalty of Rs 900 crore.

Mr De souza said that disobeying the notices would mean facing contempt of High Court by the mines.

Several mines, which are operating around wildlife sanctuaries and forest areas, have not been given clearance by the forest department, which is mandatory to get the consent under the Act.

Forest officials have said that the NOC for these mines can be given only after deciding on the buffer zone around wildlife sanctuaries and forest areas.

The Principal Additional Chief Conservator of Forest, Dr Shashi Kumar, has written to the State Government stating that the forest department will have to refer these mining cases to the National Wildlife Board under the Ministry of Environment and Forest (MoEF) before granting them NOC.


Courtesy: PTI, Aug 3, 2011

Mining Transport Corridor-1

Goa's Rs.6,000 crore mining industry wants the state government to renew old mining leases and resolve environmental issues, in return for their financial contribution towards a corpus for building an exclusive mining transport corridor to ferry iron and manganese ore.

The minutes of a recent steering committee meeting chaired by Chief Minister Digambar Kamat to monitor the setting up of the exclusive mining corridor in south Goa's mining belt indicate a stalemate between the mining industry and the government.

A copy of the minutes is available with IANS.

'During the discussions, the question of funding of the mining road corridor came up. Secretary (Mines) pointed out that so far no one has come forward towards sharing the project,' the minutes state.

'He also pointed out that the users have submitted very bulky documents and suggested that a simple agreement be worked out towards cost sharing and other related items.'

Kamat, who last year floated the idea of the 40-km mining corridor for quick and hassle-free transportation of iron ore, had initially said the mining corridor project would be totally funded by the mining companies operating in Goa and a corpus of Rs.500 crore would be created with contributions from the mining industry.

After a few months, Kamat said the state government would also set aside some money for the purpose along with the mining industries.

The latest stand-off between the mining companies represented by the Goa Mineral Ore Exporters Association (GMOEA) and the Goa government came at the crucial steering committee meeting July 13.

After government officials at the meeting proposed that 'user agencies who have shown interest may deposit Rs.10 crore each with the government as an advance payment towards contribution', GMOEA president Shivanand Salgaonkar has asked for a significant quid pro quo.

'Shivanand Salgaocar, the president of GMOEA, also focused on the issue that the government has to ensure that the renewals and other pending environmental issues need to be looked into earnestly,' the minutes state.

Transporation of ore in the mining belt of Sanguem and Pale sub-districts has been a contentious issue, as far as pollution and road accidents are concerned. Numerous fatal accidents involving mining trucks have triggered impromptu strikes by the residents of mining towns.
...
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Courtesy: Indo Asian News Service | IANS – Thu, Jul 21, 2011