While we say goodbye Adv. Bishwa Ranjan Paramguru

With a heavy heart we express our deepest condolence on death of Adv. Bishwa Ranjan Paramguru. Adv. Paramguru, a young outstanding amongst lawyers marshaled brilliantly in National Green Tribunal (NGT) representing Ramesh Gauns in litigation challenging grant of Environmental Clearance by MOEF&CC to Vedanta Limited Mines at Bicholim Mineral Block I.

Adv. Paramguru died in road "accident" in Bhubaneshwar, Odisha on 10 September 2025. Details surrounding his death are yet to be ascertain.

Adv. Paramguru braved formidable obstacles to get the case admitted to NGT Pune. He followed very high ethical standards are refused to be lured by opposition luring financial offers.

I was amongst those fortunate to have shared time with him in Goa as well as Odisha. His jovial humble nature was rather unusual for the brilliance that he carried over his shoulders. His expressed fears about snakes and the way he expressed them while tracking Goa's mining belt ofter pushed people around us into jiffy. 

I often joked about his surname that he is supreme teacher - Paramguru. And he would reply "No sir, I got that surname from my parents, nothing more." After his death I realised that he so neatly bluffed me!

While he was amongst us he set us into high level of comfort and joy, news of his death came as rude shock unleashing sorrowful tears from deepest core of my being. 

I share no competent words to describe Adv. Paramguru's contribution to defending Goa's ecology from mining corporate aggression. Few in this world are enigmas and Adv. Paramguru is amongst them.

We have no words to console his school going daughter, young wife, his brother and all those share close affinity and friendship with him over thus loss. May they find courage to move on in life. For those of us who shared close moments in struggle his life remains an experience so deeply inspiring: a boy born with no silver spoon in his mouth could attain position of strength and influence, defending those on margins, upholding Justice in courtrooms, showing that human can remain unflinching, uncompromising in the face of adversaries as mammoth and as dangerous as mining industry. 

While we say good bye my friend we leave a taste of what he stood to defend about Goa, it's people, life and economy and ecology: 

Press note on Vedanta Bicholim mine https://share.google/RYq0z741zDtGPBj0m

Dr. Sebastian Rodrigues

Goa CM pitches to mid-night mining transportation?

Reports in Marathi daily on 12 December 2024 about Goa CM intervention in support of Vedanta operated Bicholim Mineral Block - I is truly bizzare.

CM after the failed talks with Pilgao farmers on December 08, 2024 came up with an idea beyond rule books of the mining trade : mining transportation on public roads during day time as well as at night.

In this context certain things must be noted:

1. Terms of Reference for Bicholim Mineral Block I discourages mining ore transportation by road.

2. Vedanta Limited went ahead declared that it will use 900 meters of public road to reach at Sarmanas Jetty.

3. Environmental Clerance granted in January 2024 accepted Vedanta's request for the use of 900 meters of Public Road.

4. Mineral Transportation needs to be during day during time spans with breaks specified in Environmental Clearance ending at 6.30 pm.

5. Never in history of Goa Mineral transportation was officially sanctioned at night. Even the Mineral loot of 35,000 crore rupees was carried on during day time trips. 

6. Goa CM has recommended ore transportation during mid-night on portion of public road connecting Bicholim town to Sarmanas Jetty from 11.30 pm to 5.00 am. 

7. Logic for this recommendation is based on CM's assessment that only 5 houses are in the risk of sleep disturbance at night. Therefore it is alright if their sleep is disrupted at night for five families disrupted daily night sleep is no disturbance at all! Wiered logic indeed. It fit into CM's logic because his sleep will not be disrupted. He cares a damn for other people's sleep. From CM's decision it's clear that he is not going to reside in any of the five houses where sleep will be chronically disrupted due to mining loot at day and night. 

7. This recommendation on night mining transportation at day time and night time is in violation of Environmental Clerance condition that requires mining trucks to halt operations by 6.30 pm.

8. The decisions of CM Sawant to push for night transportation places him in the category of violators of Environmental laws of India and liable to be prosecuted for ecological crimes along with the officials of Vedanta Limited.

High Alert! Oncoming Police repression on People of Bicholim Taluka over mining

Today 10 December 2024 observed as International Human Rights Day. There is however very disturbing piece of information that has come in today; Goa's Sawant Government is all set to unleash police terror to resume iron transportation to benefit London based Vedanta corporate currently in the middle of plunder of Goa's minerals in Bicholim Taluka.

Corporate hasn't been able to carry its plunderous trade over Goa's iron ore due to iron willed determination of Pilgao villagers who raised red flag over ore transportation from their paddy fields and blocked road for past 25 days.

Few days ago Pilgao farmers were called for discussion to resolve this issue at Sankhelim Ravindra Bhavan. Over there Chief Minister Sawant threatened the farmers of arrests in case they continue to resist mining transportation from their paddy fields in Pilgao. Farmers wanted all the mining silt dumped in their paddy fields by mining companies at Pilgao to be cleared out so that cultivation of paddy etc can resume and food security restored. However Chief Minister Sawant was at his arrogant best and declared that he will get police to act repressive against agitating farmers.

According to the sources police repression on people of Pilgao is likely to resume from 11 December 2024. 

Bharat Mukti Morcha therefore calls upon everyone concern to be on high alert and monitor situation unfolding in Pilgao, and be prepared to respond in emergency of lathi charge and other repressive measures.

Terms of Reference of EIA clearly directs project proponent against the use of Public road for the transportation of Iron ore. Vedanta sleathly was allowed to breach this clause in January 2024 Environmental clearance and use of 900 meters of Public road was allowed. Now Vedanta Limited is pouncing on stretch of 2.5 kms of Public road connecting Bicholim town to Sarmanas Jetty. This is unacceptable. Risks multiplies for all the commuters on public road.

This situation is clearly violation of Environmental Clearance (EC) for Bicholim Mineral Block I, and if MOEF & CC fails to cancel this EC then it be held responsible for unleasing law and order situation in Goa.

It is normal to question: was this is the reason why India annexed Goa through conquest armed with Soviet Veto in 1961?

Press note on Vedanta Bicholim mine

Appeal No. 30 of 2024 has been filed against Vedanta Ltd Challenging Environmental Clearance to Bicholim Mines, Goa

These are the following grounds

Mining Lease wrt Survey No. 25 canot be enforceable. As Survey No. 25 is Lamgao Lake, a wet land. This can not be used as a settling pond. Mining in water body is strictly prohibited.(Rejoinder Para-6)

Vedanta suppressed its previous illegal mining in its present Bicholim Mining Lease Area. In response to the Para 4 ‘Miscellaneous’ 4.6 of the TOR, state of Goa gave in its clarificatory Letter gave false information regarding illegal mining. 

Lamgao Lake is completely destroyed due to illegal mining by PP. No action Plan in EIA to protect the Lake.

Vedanta Ltd was selected as the preferred bidder in the said auction for Block I Bicholim mineral block and accordingly LOI was issued to Vedanta Ltd. As per the MoEF&CC EAC minutes of meeting, in case of LOI grant it is classified as green field and hence in the EIA it has been mentioned as green field. There is no hiding of facts as alleged by the speaker/ goa foundation, as the earlier pits can be seen in the surface plan which is provided as plate no 5 of EIA. (1313)

No Cumulative impact assessment was done properly. Page-19

Suppression of presence of 13 lakes inside mining lease Area. PAGE -18,Para-2

The PP encroached upon the Communidade land without permission to transport the vehicles loaded with Iron Ore. Page-17, Para 12

No dedicated company's own road to connect 900 metre Public Road for Transportation of ore Page-15

Baseline data forged one, manipulated during corona Period page 21, para 4

Public Hearing not done properly. Google Map wrt the distance of venue not as close proximity of the PP Area. (Page-11) page-36

Bicholim river is completely silted due to illegal mining. No action Plan in EIA to protect it.(Page-17)

Adv. B. Ranjan Paramguru

Ramesh Gauns

Pilgaon villagers checkmates mining loot of Goa

Villagers of Pilgaon, Bicholim stopped Vendanta limited mining trucks from plying on public road last night. They are permitted ore transportation upto 6.00 pm but last night it went past 7.30 pm. Backed by local Panchayat people came on road and blocked mining trucks from operating on Public Roads. It is very important steps by Pilgaon people to confront corporate loot of Goa.

Vedanta to put 254 mining trucks per hour on Bicholim Public roads?

 From:

Ramesh S. Gauns

Pajwada, Bicholim,

Goa

M: 9270085105

Date: 25 April 2024

To,

Director of Mines and Geology,

Government of Goa,

Panaji, Goa

Subject: use of public roads, village roads, district roads for mining transportation...regarding 

Sir,

It has come to our attention that your office is about to provide opinion to the Honorable Goa Bench of Bombay High Court in P.I.L. W.P No. 6 of 2024 recommending transportation of ore on Public Roads, Village roads, District road in Bicholim in order to facilitate Vedanta Limited Bicholim Block - I Mines ore transportation. 

We request you to kindly refrain from allowing such transportation. Transportation of ore to the rate of 120 trips per hour - as recorded in Vedanta limited letter dated 08 April 2024 to your office - would mean invasion of public roads with mighty reckless manner threatening road safety with impunity thereby violating 2022 Supreme Court directions on road safety. 

Environmental Clearance (EC) dated 23 January 2024 records at page 28 of 39 response from Vedanta Limited that total ore that will be transported per day is 12658 tonnes in 1205 trips per day and 127 trips per hour with total vehicles that will be put on road to and fro totaling 254 vehicles per hour. This is sure remedy for creation of a catastrophe for 237 days per year that you need to prevent. 

Moreover you are well advised to organise public consultations with affected people residing close to the vicinity of the roads before providing any permissions to use existing public roads, Village roads, city roads as well as district roads for transportation of ore at such such high rate as 120 trips per hour.

Vedanta Limited has claimed in response recorded in Environmental Clearance page 18 that they have 4.54 km of dedicated road and 0.94 km MDR-20 Public Road.

Directorate of Mines and Geology is not privileged to initiate violation of EC condition to make a mockery of EC. It's legitimacy is very vital by maitaining It's integrity.

Any irresponsible decision on your part would lead to the unpredictably dangerous consequences to the Public Health in Goa and your office will be held responsible and accountable in a fitting manner.

Therefore we assert once again: Please organise public consultations on the issue of granting road permits to transport ore from the Mines to Sarmanas Jetty with affected people of Bicholim Taluka prior to granting of any road permits to Ms Vedanta Limited.

Thanking you,

Yours sincerely,

Ramesh S. Gauns

 To,

 

Shri Bhupender Yadav, 

Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change,

Government of India, New Delhi

 

To,

 

Shri Ashwini Kumar Chowbey,

Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change,

Government of India, New Delhi

 

To,

 

Ms. Leena Nandan,

Secretary,

Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change,

Government of India, New Delhi

 

September 13, 2023

 

Subject: Request to deny Environmental Clearance to Vedanta Private Limited Block I Bicholim MIneral Block in Goa

 

Sir/Madam,

 

Greetings from Goa!

 

It has come to our attention from media reports in Goa that Vedanta Private Limited has approached Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) to seek Environmental Clearance (EC). We write to you being highly responsible person in MoEF&CC with a request to deny EC to Vedanta Private Limited to avoid catastrophic consequences for the State of Goa. We thought it is prudent to alert you well in advance to avoid regrets later on.

 

EIA reports presented by Project proponents id defective on several grounds. River Bicholim is Flood prone river but this information is concealed in the EIA.

 

2023 Disaster Management Plan for North Goa District records that this mine is likely to trigger disaster for Bicholim town and Sirigao village.

 

2019 study (attached with this email) carried on by Department of Marine Science, Goa University has conclusively proved that mining activities from this mine has polluted Bicholim River to a dangerous level.

 

EIA report reveals that ore to rejection ratio is goin to be 1:8.39. This means that there will be overburden of 2,51,70,000 tonnes per year. Undoubtably this will run off into the Bicholim River through outlets as the height of the mining site is given as 169 meters. This mean gradient will be very steep. Consequently monsoon will rip apart ecosystem with the might of gutsy monsoons washing away mining rejection in surrounding water bodies.

 

There are 13 lakes covering nearly three hectares of space within the mining lease limits in Mulgao. Additionally within 3 Top are there are three lakes, five springs emerging out of foothills of 3 Top hill. Several Hectares of arecanut palantations, rice fields source the water supply from these water bodies

 

There are number of houses within lease limits. Mulgao village alone has 223 houses withing lease limits. Similarly there are more houses withing mining lease limits in other core zone villages. In Lamgao village there are 50 houses and 05 temples within mining lease. In the event of granting of EC from your office these houses are liable to be demolished in order to extract ore, Of course you will care to protect Goa’s ecology at our appeal only if you care or you wont. But we wish to let you know that we care and that’s why we knock your ears. Even village crematorium is missing in EIA.

 

Because of this mine there are frequent flooding of river.

 

At the Public Hearing conducted based of 622 page EIA report just 10 minutes were allotted per speaker. This is an arbitrary way of conducting public hearing violating even the common sense that 622 pages of EIA cannot be critically asses within 10 minutes. Project Proponent’s consultant was absent for the Public Hearing till late evening. Speakers who wanted to clarifcation did not get to question the consultant till in the evening. And in the evening too only 05 minutes were granted to question.

 

Assanora river is close to 15/1941 mining leases and now component of amalgamated mining lease at the distance of 10 meters. No ten meter barrier exists between river and mining pit as claimed in EIA/EMP.

 

All the above indicate that the method of baseline data collection adopted is defective and there are serious doubts on the timing of study being during Covid-19 lockdown as stated in project proponent’s application form before your office.

 

Wells (indicators of ground water) in close proximity from core zone are missing in EIA report.

 

Consusltant backtracked on the claims that this mining project is greenfield project. This mining site is in operation for last 80 years with its beginning in 1941.

 

In violation of Terms of Reference Project proponent intents to use public road used by civilians of around 900 meters. This will put life of the civilians under serious life threatening risk.

 

Rainfall noted in EIA is 3500 mm which is wrong.

Thanking you,

Yours truly,

Ramesh Gauns, 

Bicholim

M: 9270085105

Dr. Sebastiao A. Rodgigues,

Convenor, Bharat Mukti Morcha, Goa State

M: 9923336347

Time to shut down Goa Mines and Geology Department forever?

It has been revealed that due to callous attitude of Goa Department of Mines and Geology 223 Mulgao (Bicholim taluka) residential houses and village agriculture land has been included within the boundary of the mining lease. 

Paddy fields already witnessed meter and half thick layer of silt rendering cultivation of rice impossible just like Sirgao. Horticulture crops yields has drastically dropped just like Pissurlem. Water sources of the village like wells, springs, lakes has suffered terrible blow due to mining activities already by Dempo Mining Corporation and then by Sesa owned by Vedanta, London based corporate. For years together agriculture progressively ruined.

On August 11, 2023 Vedanta private limited carried on Public Hearing for this very mine (Block I Bicholim Mineral Block) to seek Environmental Clearance from Central Government that will be valid for 50 years like the mining lease!

Mining department officials know all this but it pretents deaf. The way irresponsibility of mining Department is increasing the only solution looks to be to shut it down permanently as it's stupidity has taken dangerous infinite proportion at corporate dictates.

Stupidity of Goa Department of Mines and Geology that is headed by Chief Minister himself is supervised by brahmin supremacy organisastion RSS with its headquarters at Nagpur. This headquarters -as a matter of fact - was shut down on October 06, 2022 after 2.5 lakh People marched to the office forcing exodus of all the inmates including its Supreme commander sarsanchalak. 

If mining industry continues its aggression then people of Goa will be compelled to take certain decisive steps against RSS and that means swelling the ranks of Bharat Mukti Morcha currently led by Waman Meshram.  Yet again Time for decisive action arrived. The powers that are committed to destroy Goa's agriculture and ecology through mining are of national and international nature. Consequently we need response that is not only local but also national and international in character. Let's explore further in this direction.

Minutes of Vedanta Limited Public Hearing as Public Butchery

With Mining company ex-Environmental cum Public Relations officer as the Chairman of the Goa State Pollution Control Board in the form of Mahesh Patil (https://goaspcb.gov.in/constitution-of-board/) the autonomous institution has been drastically reduced in their capacity to deal with conduct of public hearing in suitable and efficient manner. At Sarvan on 11 August 2023 Public Hearing norms were flung to the winds. At the end of the Public Hearing minutes were to be prepared and shared. It was not done till 1.30 am on 12 August 2023. Notes taking capacity was in total mess. People had no idea as to whose names are omitted and whose names are included. Entire staff of GSPCB looked in total disarray. It looked that space given to the staff of London based Anil Agarwal's company Vedanta Limited staff on the stage were controlling the strings behind the scene behind the installed black curtain on the stage.

Minutes of the Public Hearing was declared by the North Goa Collector will be put out on the website in two days time. Finally today it is online after five days at https://goaspcb.gov.in/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/MINUTES.pdf. One look revealed that the entire page 12 is missing. Names of speakers and their contribution from serial no 33 to 35 has vanished. There has been careful deletion of contents and names of the speakers too. Nilesh Karbatkar from Mayem who is the Union leader of the Sesa Goa mining corporation has been marked absent "not present" at serial number 153 even though he not only was present and also spoke critically about Vedanta. Noted voice critical about mining in Goa Ramesh Gauns saw that his speech recorded at the minutes is nothing short of butchery at serial no.124.


There is no hope for improvement. Crisis that has set in has taken chronic proportions. As long as Vedanta has its ex-employees as the Chairman of GSPCB nothing really expected to change. As this is the first Public Hearing of the Auctioned iron ore mines things have become clearer than ever: mining industry has taken firm grip over the GSPCB and butchery in noting of minutes and writings of minutes will be sharpened as the days goes on, maturity of butchers increase.


A new league of money games has just become visible!


Dr.S.A. Rodrigues

Protest against Vadanta Sesa Goa Mining company

Date: 09/03/2017

To,

Secretary (Fisheries),

Directorate of Fisheries, Porvorim, Goa

To,

The Director,

Directorate of Fisheries, Panjim, Goa

Subject: Protest against Vadanta Sesa Goa Mining company

Dear Sir,

It has come to our notice that Vendanta Sesa Goa mining company is involved in filing various complaints with fisheries department against fishermen carrying on fishing activities in Zuari river citing various reasons. We write to lodge our strong protest against Vedanta Sesa Goa mining company for harassing fishermen. Mining companies are outstanding destroyers of nature, ecology and environment and now Vendant, a company registered at London Stock exchange is all out to trouble fishermen in Zuari river. Fishing is birthright of fishermen and Vedanta has no right to disrupt our fishing. Vedanta must know very well that mining in Goa is mere plunder. The best proof is from Central government appointed Justice Shah Commission report.

Let Vedanta not interfere with our fishing activities which we and before us our ancestors have been carrying on since time immemorial even then there was mining barges in operation.

Thanking you,

Yours Sincerely,

         Sd/- 

Maggie Silveira,

President, Goa State

       Sd/-

Sanjay Pereira

Convener, Cacra unit  

       Sd/-

Rohidas Andrade

Convener, Bambolim unit

       Sd/-

Soccoro Braganza

Convener, Siridao Unit

       Sd/-

Anthony Cardozo

Convener, Curca Unit

       Sd/-

Sitaram Pereira

Convener, Odxel Unit

      Sd/-

Milind Palkar

Convener, Nauxi unit

       Sd/-

Chandrakant Lotlikar

Secretary, Siridao Unit

      Sd/-

Hanuman Dias

Co-convenor, Odxel Unit

     Sd/-

Honu Dinkar,

Co-convener, Odxel Unit

      Sd/-

Deu Kankonkar

Secretary, Nauxi Unit

        Sd/-

Yeshwant Shirodkar,

Co-convener, Odxel Unit

        Sd/-

Manguesh Sawant,

Co-convener, Odxel unit

      Sd/-

Amir Mardolkar,

Co-convener,

Nauxim Unit

      Sd/-

Francis Coelho,

Co-convener, Nauxim Unit

     Sd/-

Dulba Pereira,

Co-convener, Cacra Unit

      Sd/-

Santosh Gauns,

Co-convener,  Cacra Unit 

      Sd/-

Sheila D’mello,

Co-convener, Cacra Unit

      Sd/-

Santosh Kukalkar,

Co-convener, Cacra unit