Date:2012-02-10
TEAM HERALD
PANJIM: Medha Patkar, who headed iconic Narmada Bachao Abhiyaan, on Thursday said that mining is a unique example how Goa government has looted the people at the cost of environment.
Patkar under the banner National Alliance for People’s Movement (NAPM) Thursday launched ‘Lokshakti Abhiyan’, a campaign against corruption, injustice and inequality and towards peace, justice, equality and democracy.
Talki ng to media persons, Patkar lamented that the beautiful state of Goa had been looted by government, builders and corporators in the name of development.
“The state entered into the development phase at the cost of environment. Mining can be termed as best example, where the land has been looted without benefiting the locals or the government,” Patkar said adding “mining companies managed to earn entire profit by exporting iron ore.”
“We are not against development but not at the cost of environment or livelihood of the locals here,” she stated.
Meanwhile, NAPM Thursday announced its plan to have the unique concept of people’s parliament from next month onwards in New Delhi creating a platform for common man to raise his voice against various developmental issues.
The people’s parliament session will be held from March 19 to 31. Patkar said that the session will coincide with coming Parliament session, wherein we discuss crucial issues of Lokpal bill, corruption, conversion of agricultural land, illegal mining and other issues.
“People would know throughout the country what problems they have been facing. The ‘People’s Parliament’ will show how the problems are raised in the local parliament and then our Parliament members should see how the issues related with people are then resolved in the House,” added Patkar.