Bicholim: A unanimous resolution was passed to mark the mining buffer zone as per the regional plan 2020-21 by excluding houses, temples and water bodies at Mulgao gram sabha on Sunday. A similar resolution was passed earlier.Villagers expressed anger at the gram sabha over the govt’s delay in initiating action on the same.Sarpanch Manasi Kauthankar said the panchayat has repeatedly communicated with the department of mines and geology to mark the buffer zone as per the regional plan 2021, but received no response. Kauthankar said that the mining company has initiated steps to compensate affected farmers.Mulgao communidade president Maheshwar Parab said govt has failed in fulfilling the demand of the villagers and cautioned against an indefinite agitation until their demands are met. Parab said they have requested a meeting with the Bicholim deputy collector to discuss this issue.He also added that after several requests, govt has approved Rs 3 crore for children’s playground renovation, but the panchayat has taken no action.Locals requested the panchayat to suspend construction of the readymade concrete plant for the irrigation canal by the water resources department, citing that permission given for the plant was illegal.“The mining excavation has caused water to seep into homes, forcing residents to wear slippers indoors. Houses have developed cracks due to hectic mining activity, and neither the company nor govt is offering compensation. Panchayat should initiate immediate action in this regard,” said former sarpanch Santosh Saraf.
