Corruption in Education: Chain agitation begins at Azad Maidan

Maggie Silveira, President of Bharat Mukti Morcha, Goa Unit addressing the protestors at Azad Maidan, Panjim on 15th August 2014. She pledged support and expressed solidarity to the Annay Nivaran Kruti Samiti. She said that the corruption affairs at Dr.Ambedkar English High School,Cuchelim, Bardez are deplorable.

On13 august 2014 the first day of the chain agitation or the sakhali uposhan was held at azad maidan, Panjim. The uposhan time was from 10am to 5 pm.

The uposhan started at 10 am The members of the schedule caste community along with the members of Anaya nirvana kruthi samaiti taking a bigger step against the government for not looking into the issue of corruption and ill legal things happening in the Dr.Baba saheb Ambedkar high school Cuchalim, Bardez, Goa. This chain agitation is carried out due to negligence of the government towards this big issue. 

The chain agitation will be from 13th August to 15 august and it may be continued further till the government look  into the matter with a proper solution. From 10 am to 5 pm all the members of the schedule caste community were waiting for the chief minister to visit them  for atleast 5 to 10 minutes but same as last time (30th July 2014).

The press played a very important role in this issue, they are along with the samiti from day one of the formation of the samiti and till date they are along with the samiti. The press named  Prudent media, hcn, video volunteers, tarun bharat, gomantak, gomantak times visited the spot on 13 August 2014. The response of the press was too good towards this serious issue. They highlighted all the demands of samaiti and brought it to the notice of all the people of Goa and schedule caste community who were not aware of real fact that was going on in the said school and how Akhargekar in the name of Baba Saheb utilizing the money for his personal need.

This first day shows that no one is interested in solving the problems of the schedule caste community and the minority.  Nor the chief minister nor the members of the legislative assembly. The only demand is to have a C.B.I inquiry against N.G.Akhagerkar and the management of the school.and followed by all other demands.

The demands of the samiti were highlighted by the press few days back in the news paper but again to remind you all the demands of the samiti they are as follows. 

          

            THE DEMANDS

1. Immediately initiate C.B.I inquiry in to the sources of money availed for the construction of school building. 

2. Stop corrupt practices in Dr . Ambedkar English High School. Kuchalim. 

3. Handover the school and the educational society to the SC community. 

4. Initiate C.B.I inquiry of employees recruitment process by Akhargekar and school management. 

5. Immediately dissolve corrupt Executive body of Dr.Babasaheb Ambedkar Education society. 

6. Immediately dissolve the corrupt and bias school management. 

7. Immediately appoint administrator on school management. 

8. Put an end to the monopoly of Akhargekar family over school management and Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar education society. 

9. Revoke illegal termination order of teacher.

10. Initiate C.B.I inquiry into movable and immovable property of Akhargekar in Goa, Poona and else where.

Our request to the government to have a C.B.I inquiry of all the demands. The first day chain agitation or sakhali uposhan ended at 5 pm. Again to remind you all that the chain agitation will continue till 15 august 2014. And if necessary it will continue further and it might become aggressive or may lead to hunger strike if government doesn't take immediate steps over this issue.

The chain agitation was continued on the second day all the members of the SC community along with the Anaya nivaran kruthi samaiti members were gathered at 10 am on azaid maidan on 14 August 2014. The members were eager and were waiting for someone from the ministry to visit them, but same thing continued on the second day nobody came.

The media and the press visited the spot, they ask many questions and members replied to the questions, by saying have a C.B.I inquiry into this matter. While speaking to the media one of the member named Namdev Dhargalkar said that this agitation will continue also on 15 august. 15 august were the nation will enjoy the taste of happiness and joy of freedom but the schedule caste community sitting here on chain agitation on 15 august is a shameful activity for the government of the this state.

The same thing happened on 15 august nobody was interested in tackling the problems faced by this community and society at large. The chain agitation continued till 5 pm.and through this it is clear that the government is not interested in solving the problems of the S.C community and its also clear that this  government is not capable to run the government and the state because if you are not capable of solving people's grivences then why we need such government.

The struggle is not stopped here, the one day struggle ( dharna)  let to 3 days chain agitation ( sakhali uposhan) now sakhali uposhan will led to big and large protest against the government for not looking into the matter and the demands of the samiti.

जय भीम!                                                                    जय मूलनिवासी!

CHAIN AGITATION ON 13,14,15 AUGUST BY ANAYA NIRVARAN KRUTI SAMITI IN Panjim

The three day chain agitation will be held on 13th, 14th and 15th august 2014 at azaid maidan, Panjim.

A GREAT MAN  IS DIFFERENT FROM AN EMINENT ONE IN THAT HE IS READY TO BE THE SERVANT OF THE SOCIETY.........            Dr. Bhimrao R. Ambedkar

On 10th august 2014, members of anaya nirvaran kruti samiti-goa had a meeting in Panjim. The agenda of the meeting was to discuss the progress of the one day dharna which was held on 30th july 2014. And what steps government has taken regarding the issue. During the second press conference the members of the samiti had informed the media and press that even after submitting memorandum to the Chief Minister of Goa and also to all other departments related to this issue are not taking any interest in this issue and no action has been taken against Mr. N.G.Akhargekar the manager of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar English high school and the management of the said school, so the samiti had decided and executed one day dharna (sit-in protest). This dharna would be peaceful without violating the law  to protest against  Mr. N.G.Akhargekar and management of the school, the samiti members had given 10 days deadline to government   [ from the day of dharna 30^th July 2014] to look into the matter and  tackle the issue, and if the government is not coming to any decision there will be chain agitation after the 10 days deadline period. 

This issue is a serious issue and had to tackle seriously and at a fast speed. But our government is not serious and not interested in looking in the matter. This issue is not only of scheduled caste people but of corruption taking place in the name of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar. In the above said school. A person like Mr.N.G.Akhargekar who is running an educational institution in the name of Babasaheb and spoiling the name of the great man, the father of Indian constitution Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar, by promoting corruption in the school, taking  money from the teachers and other staff of the school to be kept for his family and shared with the director of education. And still our government is quite. One thing everybody should keep in mind is that Dr.Babasaheb Ambedkar is the wealth and jewel of the nation and nobody can use it as his personal property and anybody doing such activity or corruption in the name of Babasaheb then the schedule caste community will not keep quit. Further it will align with ST, OBC and non-ruling minorities mulnivasis.

We wish to explain in this way, ‘‘If a child ask a question to his father, it is the duty and responsibility of the father to answer the question and guide the child to a solution''. but our father [head of the state] our chief minister is not interested in knowing about this SC community in Goa. The chief minister nor the other ministers nor the members of the legislative assembly tried to inquire why this community is sitting for dharna at azaid maidan. It was the duty and responsibility of the government, but it was not done so, and through this it has been seen that the government is not interested in knowing the problems of this community. ''Its like you live or die, no harm to the society''.

the dharna was on 30th July and 10days deadline finished on 9th august 2014. Two day  passed that is, 11th and 12th august gone  but no sign of signal from government, so the members of the samiti decided to go on a CHAIN AGITATION as declared during the press conference and one day dharna. the chain agitation will be held on 13th, 14th and 15th august 2014 at azaid maidan. This chain agitation will continue till government is not tackling this issue, and this chain agitation may leads to hunger strike. 

जय भीम !                                              जय मूलनिवासी !

Fight against corruption in Goa’s education department intensifies

A month ago that is in month of June 2014 a committee was formed by the name of ANAYA NIRVARAN KRUTI SAMITI (अन्नाय निवारण कृति समिती). - Goa. With 12 different Organisations merging under one banner named ANAYA NIRVARAN KRUTI SAMITI-Goa. This samiti was formed to tackle the different issues happening in Goa. And one issue was the scandal in the Dr.Babasaheb  Ambedkar high school. This samiti got information from some reliable sources that a big scandal is taking place in the above said school and two teachers of the said school are been trouble by the management of the school. And latter it came to the notice of the samiti that one teacher named Anant Kaushal has been terminated from the teacher's post and also from the school. Anant Kaushal was appointed as a senior teacher in the same school.

All the leaders and members of different social movement and  samitis came together and had a meeting in Dr.Babasaheb Ambedkar garden in Panjim to tackle this issue and it was decided to form a new samiti with a name ANAYA NIRVARAN KRUTI SAMITI.after forming the samiti it was decided to have a Press conference and the date was fixed on 2 July 2014 this press conference was the first press conference to bring to notice to all people about illegalities and corrupt practices carried by Mr. N.G.Akhargekar, the manager of the school and other members of the school management. This samiti took all the decision and necessary step to draw the attention of the hon'ble CM and Education minister Mr. Manohar Parrikar, but the government of Goa and specially our hon'ble CM is not interested in looking into this matter. Every day the samiti members used to meet in the evening in Panjim. On 8th and 9th July’s meeting the samiti condemn education department for not taking any action in this matter. Which means that education department was allowing having corrupt practices in the said school.

On 10th July 2014 a memorandum was given to the Chief Minister to intervene and stop corruption with our demands. But till date CM has not done anything to look into this matter. Later on 17th July a copy was submitted to the social welfare department, education department, vigilance department, SC/ST commissioner and Human Rights commission. On the same day that is 17th July it was decided that on 23rd July to have a press conference this was the second conference by the samiti.  During the next meeting it was decided that we all will have a one day Dharna (protest sit-in). a peaceful dharna to be conducted on  30^th July 2014 at Azad maidan, Panjim. On the day of dharna press and media came but no response from our good and active government. Even no other department tried to look upon us on that day. None of them paid attention to our issue. ''It's said that the head of the family guides and protect the family'' but here our CM the head of the state is not interested in protecting and nor interested in guiding us to a solution.  This is yet another example of how Goa’s Bamon Raj administration is functioning. Dharna was a grand success with 74 people participating from various parts of Goa. लोकांचा फार चांगला प्रतिसाद मिळला आहेे.

Dr.Babasaheb Ambedkar understood the bamani system well and educated, agitated and organized people to set Manusmriti on fire and abolished it through Constitution of India. Periyar understood Baman Raj and set symbols of Bamon raj under public insults on the streets of Madras. In Goa too it is necessary to set Maunsmiriti on fire after dissecting its implications of inequality. For what can be the reason why Goa’s Bamon Chief Minister not putting a full stop to corruption at Dr.Babasaheb Ambedkar English High School with active strategic collaboration with Director of Education Anil Powar? Anil Powar even declared to the Goa Bench of Bombay High Court audio cd exposing his corruption links with N. G. Akhergekar as ‘Blank’. Anil Powar lied to the High Court. Chief Minister is supervising over the corrupt nexus in education department.

Bharat Mukti Morcha expresses support and solidarity in this struggle against corruption. बाबासाहेबांनी शिकविले "शिक्षित हव्वा , शंगठित हव्वा , संगर्ष करा." 

Is this the way the public at large should treated?

These pictures are from Carambolim village in Tiwadi taluka of Goa at a locality known as 'Petter' right in front of the residence of Carambolim Sarpach Wanisha Valladares. This road is full of public health danger as it is marked with innumerable pot holes and accumulation of water. The road connects Old Goa to Aggaism via Carambolim and Neura. The entire road is in pitiable state and is orphaned as no public authorities are paying attention to the same.

The two MLAs under whose jurisdiction this road comes - Pandurang Madkaikar and Vishnu Wagh - have surprisingly turned blind eye. It is needless to state that local Sarpanch too have ignored this state right in front of her house for reasons best known to her.

This road is used by large number of vehicles including tourist vehicles. Trucks as well as buses. Kadmaba  buses connecting Bicholim, Valpoi to Tittan and Margao use this road. Transportation of all vehicles has slowed down due to this pitiable road conditions. Goa CM Parrikar heading the current government too is blind about this. Perhaps he believes with confidence that no Bamon is affected by this road so let it go to dogs. In any case the road needs urgent attention. It is a priority and necessity that this road must be attended to. As the MLAs and Sarpanches are fast a sleep hope CM is awake. School Children and college students too are at risk on this road.

Drink your own poison

Bharat Mukti Morcha is shocked to note the intentions of Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar to give away 30 % of land illegally allotted for SEZ to the corporate entities. A week ago Goa CM publicly expressed his mind that in a bid to convince corporate – Meditab Specialities, Peninsula Pharma, and K. Raheja Corporation - to end litigation at Supreme Court – granting them 30% land would be compromise formula. Allotting 30% land illegally procured will send the message out that it is fine to indulge in mass corruption and Parrikar government in full support of such practices. Manohar Parrikar’s BJP while in opposition has been active participant in the anti-SEZ formation named Goa Movement Against SEZ (GMAS). GMAS and (SEZ Virodhi Manch) SVM has been public fronts of the protests against SEZs in Goa. Now after getting SEZ’s stalled and after Goa Bench of Bombay High Court confirming illegalities in its judgment dated November 26, 2010 BJP came into power in Goa. And while in power Manohar Parrikar plans to compromise with the corporate and hand over 30% of the land! Bharat Mukti Morcha considers this as form of typical Bamanism in practice of the Chief Minister.  Apparently Goa Chief Minister wants to end the litigation and seems to opt for absolutely dubious way out.

Bharat Mukti Morcha does not agree with the Chief Minister’s views at all. The problem has come about due to the SEZ Act 2005 which prohibits transfer of land back to people from corporate. Goa Chief Minister has to strike this point to central government the way he did with congress government in April 2014 on mining in Goa vis-à-vis Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel report. He has to convince his Party that is ruling India to repeal SEZ Act 2005 as it is creating litigation like what has come about after corporate appealed to the Supreme Court and got a stay order on High Court order. Supreme Court so far did consider it fit to strike down SEZ Act 2005 as anti-constitutional.

Under these circumstances it is of utmost necessity that if Goa Chief Minister is serious in getting the solution then he has to get his Party at central government level to repeal it in Parliament. Few days ago one of its ministers Arun Jaitley was pushing for passing of ill conceived FDI in insurance Bill in Parliament. Why can’t with same dedication SEZ Act 2005 cannot be repealed. Nothing is impossible. Where there is way there is a will. The point it that Goa Chief Minister does not want to push for logical solution but want to indulge in short circuit that will benefit these corporate who got control of land through dubious ways.

This approach of the Goa Chief Minister is unfortunate and most deplorable. How such massive illegalities can be boosted by Chief Minister when he declared that his government stands for zero per cent tolerance corruption. Now by advocating 30% land allotment to corporate he also transforms into advocate of corruption.  In case of allotment of land the corruption is proved beyond doubt. Now if  the Chief Minister himself going to carry forward the flag of corruption flying high to the skies then it is indeed very serious issue. It is like a band of thieves leading state of Goa for rule of thieves.

The problem created by SEZ in Goa cannot be solved by any other way except by repealing the Act. Goa Chief Minister Parrikar must stop indulging in sort circuit strategies and opt for initiating negotiations with his own party colleagues in Central government and get SEZ Act repealed.

SEZ Act 2005 denotes SEZ allotted areas as foreign territories. If Manohar Parrikar and his BJP in power in Delhi do not repeal this law then it is clear that both the Chief Minister and his colleagues at central government are anti-national. They have made one blunder of not opposing it in Parliament when they were in opposition and they will be making second blunder of not repealing SEZ Act when BJP enjoys absolute majority in Lok Sabha. The consequences of these blunders could be severe and time may just run out for them to make amends.

At a deeper level of analysis BJP through Manohar Parrikar is supporting corruption as is reflected through his 30% illegal land allotment to three corporate bodies. Congress also indulged in corruption by promoting illegal land allotment through Digambar Kamat and Pratapsing Rane as their Chief Ministers. So in a clear way BJP is sprinting its way with a baton of corruption for the reasons best known to them. Some periphery analysis however makes things very clear as to the reasons for this type of shabby governance in our Country of India. BJP as well as Congress are set up and controlled by Bamons with the end of establishing hegemony of bamons over India. Yet they are just less than 2% of the population and has to rule over 98%. Cast based census would confirm this that why it is not being done. They are doing it by active manipulations at every imaginable level, providing massive boost to corruption and corrupting people as with honesty Bamons are not capable of ruling everyone else. They try to fragment the country first they did it in jatis and now they have fragmented India’s geography through SEZ Act by creating legal infrastructure for creating foreign territories within India. And this law is passed by Indian Parliament and assented by then President of India famous Abdul Kalam. What a tagedy! We have a situation wherein entire Indian Parliament has turned anti-national by enacting the law that empowers creation of foreign territories within India. This is nothing short of partition of the country. The issue therefore is of grave importance.

We already suffered one partition wherein India was split into two so that bamons and their invisible collaborators can rule with ease. M.K. Gandhi, a vashya from Gujarat facilitated this process to a great extend. Now through SEZ this process is sought to be further multiplied. This is so because people all over India are uniting and getting conscious of the fact as to how Bamons and their colleagues has cheated entire country for so many decades of the past. The rising awareness is proving costly for bamon raj that is well established in India. Currently Bamon Raj is involved in creating scandals and conspiracies against mulnivasi people at every level of governance process with rapid succession. Bamons are identified as Eurasians, and when foreigners rule us they are but will destroy us. That’s why it is so crucial to dislodge them all together.

Barat Mukti Morcha calls for repeal of SEZ Act in both the houses of the Parliament. Anything short will only result in short circuit. Bharat Mukti Morcha calls up mulnivasi people to see through the game of the Chief Minister Parrikar and act. BJP even though have won majority in Lok Sabha they have not made any move to repeal SEZ Act so far. It is time now for those in power to rethink their politics based on manusmriti. All the people cannot be fooled all the time. What do we tell Chief Minister now? We tell him ‘ispe veneno bibas’ that means ‘drink your own poison’. 

Humanity rots on the door steps of Goa Medical College, Bamblim

This man has near rotten leg and is found lying helplessly on the door steps of Goa Medical College. His right leg looks rotten and GMC steps were full of red liquid flowing across hospital steps. No doctor, nurse, student or any one else has been attending to him. These pictures were clicked at 4.14 pm today August 07, 2014. It would be nice if authorities were to attend to the plight of this man at the earliest. He is still lying there at GMC. Not sure if Goa Government cares for such people. There is no one to lift his and take to OPD.

Government Employee enjoying corrupt way of practice

Manoj Parab, a Goa government employee of Electricity department today 29^th July 2014 came to attack President, Bharat Mukti Morcha, Maggie Silveira at her residence in Vanxim. He was accompanied by two people from a private company surveying the land and roads. The incident that took place at around 1.00 pm was marked with tension as Manoj came to attack Maggie physically three times. As a woman there should be respect given by a man but with Mahendra Gaunekar intervening in the matter cops came immediately telling Maggie “Saiban apoilam” (Sir has called you). Maggie asked for call letter which they did not have. So they asked for Maggie’s mobile number which she shared. Maggie told them to serve call letter and then she will come. It looks that corporate bodies have right on the females living in Vanxim. They having their own identity to live on the island. Corporate and Mahendra Gaunekar troubling the villagers when they want to fight for truth and justice. Bharat Mukti Morcha condemns the high-handedness of police asking Maggie to come to police station without serving call letter.

The private surveyors looks on in Vanxim in the middle of resistence

Vanxim island in Mandovi river is at the threshold of major resistance to the Golf Course, 5 star hotel, Private villas etc. Goa’s Catholic Church has strangely involved in selling of land and paddy fields, bunds and water bodies etc. It is estimated that paddy fields sold by the Archbishop Felipe Neri Ferrao itself is amounting to 4,18,550 square meters at the rate of Rs.20/- per square meter. Besides there is more land sold by earlier Archbishop Raul Nicolau Gonsalves during his tenure as per records procured from the Registrar’s office in Panjim.

Today’s attempted attack was yet another episode in this respect. Manoj Parab hailing from Vanxim island itself looks to be working as hired hand of those wanting to grab the island. Maggie told Manoj Parab to get away and move off.

Yet he refused and went on to issue threats to her husband Sebastian Rodrigues for catching Manoj Parab-in-confrontation  on camera. For a minute he withdrew and walked 20 meters to consult his advisors Assis Furtado  then came charging and threatening Sebastian. He warned him that in case he wants to stay in Vanxim he should stay nicely. He also threatened him of smashing the camera. He was given fitting retorts by Maggie.

This Manoj Parab has his brother as a constable posted at Old Goa police station. And based on him and his connections in Police he has been using high handed language.

What is the interesting and serious implications of today’s confrontation in Vanxim has been the locus standi of Manoj Parab to engage in survey work of land that does not belonged to him. He does not work for the Land Survey department. He works for electricity department with duty to distribute the electricity bills but not in Vanxim. In Vanxim he has no official role. Then what was he doing? Why he has to visit Maggie’s house in Vanxim and engage in confrontation? Perhaps he was doing this on behalf of Ozone corporate and Mahendra Gaunekar.

Now in case of any assault or attack on Maggie Silveira and Sebastian Rodrigues the first suspect will be Manoj Parab and his associates – Mahendra Gaunekar, Ozone corporate, and Archbishop Felipe Neri Ferrao. It looked as if he was paid by Mahendra Gaunekar and Ozone corporate to do this very act as he came charging at Maggie. He gave a threat and he went by saying “Tucam Kitem tem dakoitam” (See what I’ll do to you). Is this the way the females are to be treated that too by government servant by dishing out threats? He should be terminated from his services for going about doing such activities which are ethically and morally wrong for which he must be terminated as the activities are in contravention of law.

Goa Chief Minister can take note of this report and arrest Manoj Parab.

At 2.30 pm police constable along with Manoj Parab’s wife visited Maggie’s house asking her to report to the Old Goa Police Station. Maggie asked police to serve call letter. What right police had to ask Maggie to come to police station without call letter when she herself is attacked by male government servant? Indeed a sorry state of affairs brought about by prevailing Bamon Raj in Goa.

Keep awake and Act with responsibility to trace Antonio Fernandes missing/kidnapped from Vanxim Ferry!

Three months has passed and Antonio Fernandes is still missing. He went missing on April 04, 2014 and search for Antonio has bothered public in Goa. Rosary procession was organized on Vanxim island in first fortnight of May 2014 with special prayer for his well being and early detection. Special Latin mass was offered in a Old Goa Church in May 2014 for this intention. Presently people are praying in different places and also deeply concerned about his well being wherever he is.

Some interests however are putting pressure on Maria, wife of Antonio to accept dead body found as that of Antonio and perform the funeral rites. The motive of these people needs to be investigated too. It looks like police department are involved in cover up operation for the reasons best known to them. If the dead body police claims is that of Antonio then it becomes duty of police to investigate as to who murdered him, trace the murderer and prosecute him/her/them. If the body is not that of Antonio then it becomes urgent that search be extended far and wide of Goa’s borders and beyond. For person just disappearing on sunny bright morning of April 04, 2014 is horrendous.

The behavior of the State government is rather strange in this matter. Its police force detected his bike in Dhargal but did not pressed dog squad on the spot. Why did police department have to do this act of omission? Is police department under pressure to cover up Antonio Fernandes missing/kidnapping case? Would police act in similar fashion if the missing person was nearer family relative etc of the Goa’s Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar who is also Home Minister of the State? If not, then why double standards in terms of investigations? Is it because CM is a bamon and Antonio is mulnivasi?

The moment it was decided that there  going to be public rosary in Vanxim island in May 2014- where Antonio Fernandes was working till last day of his visibility- on account of missing TV channel – HCN announced detection of dead body of Antonio Fernandes from the shrubs in Duler, Mapusa. On close examination of this body which has abdomen and legs missing, family members did not accept the body as that of missing Antonio. The forensic examination was proceeded with and report was to come from the laboratory in Hyderabad to check if the blood samples of Antonio’s brother and Son matches with the DNA of the found dead body. For two months now there is no sign of forensic report and tension of the Antonio’s family has only mounted further. On delegation to Superintendent of Police (North) family members were told that Goa police would forward priority letter to the forensic laboratory in Hyderabad for seeking the report on the dead body at the earliest. It is hoped that SP will keep up to her word and do all within her power to trace Antonio.

In the meanwhile discussions around missing of Antonio Fernandes have opened Pandora’s Box as it was revealed that Antonio Fernandes is not the first person to go missing from Vanxim. Almost 10 years ago in May 2005 two people – labourer Jamla Kujur and his son Ashok Kujur, tribals from Chhattisgarh working in Vanxim were kidnapped. They were abducted in the middle of the night from Vanxim where they were staying, put into canoe and moved to unknown destination. This happened on 19 May 2005. Maggie Silveira approached police but they refused to register kidnapping case and instead missing case was registered at Panjim police station. Even though it was clear from the early morning visit of Sadanand Bhosle to Maggie’s residence and his narrations to her that both Jamla and his Son Ashok were taken in his Canoe to Bicholim. Yet police never even interrogated Sadanand Bhosle. 

From this day Sadanand Bhosle never visited Maggie’s residence till date. After police case was registered at Panjim police station Mahendra Gaunekar who was then frequent visitor to Vanxim for he had an intention to take over the Vanxim island, phoned Maggie Silveira and asked whether his name was given to police as kidnapping suspect. Maggie replied in the negative. Yet in the hindsight now it is clear he was the master mind of 2005 kidnappings as this worker – Jamla Kujur- used to work diligently on Maggie’s horticultural farms and Maggie used to rely on his abilities and loyalty. It was intention of Mahendra Gaunekar that indirectly damage be inflicted on Maggie Silveira and that’s why her worker was kidnapped and till today not traceable. Prior to the kidnappings Maggie was threatened with dire consequences if she does not stop her opposition to permanent stationing of Children from Kashmir whose parents are killed through terrorists encounters. These two hundred children were to be stationed on Vanxim island by Adolf Rodricks from Ponda of ‘Full na Pakli’ initiative, a cruel collaborator of equally cruel Mahendra Gaunekar.  Yet Maggie Silveira refused to compromise and continued to stand in defence of Vanxim even at a time when entire Vanxim islanders were scarred due to Kidnappings of Jamla and Ashok Kujur. Navhind Times refused to publish Maggie’s statement against Adolf Rodricks’s project in Vanxim citing that Adolf Rodricks is their esteemed customer who fetches them large revenue due to his advertizing.

Antonio Fernandes kidnapping/missing must be viewed in this context as well and Mahendra Gaunekar need to be interrogated to check whether he has any role in Antonio’s case. Mahendra Gaunekar wants to take over entire island of Vanxim for golf course, five star hotel, spa, helipad, Villas etc construction and it could be well he and his Ozone collaborators intention that atmosphere of fear spreads in Vanxim and Antonio Fernandes might have been made scapegoat to effect their conspiracy. At this state police must not leave any stone unturned and must immediately proceed to interrogate Mahendra Gaunekar and top officials of Ozone Corporate. Considering that Gaunekar and his Ozone corporate has faced stiff opposition it is likely that they are going to resort to such dangerous fear generating tactics. But will police department do this? Or will it be bulldozed under the political pressure from the highest quarters? It is less likely that Police will function without pressure for stakes are too high as evident from the very first act of omission of withholding police dogs from the scene of Antonio Fernandes’ abandoned bike in Dhargal, Pernem. 

Yet it is a challenge before Goa police as they should not goof up for it is an issue of their prestige as well.

A committed, dedicated and highly responsible search must go in locating the kidnapped Antonio Fernandes’ whereabouts as three months has passed by.

Whenever any incident occurs it is spoken for a few days and then forgotten forever, this should not happen in the case of Antonio Fernandes as he got his three growing up children, wife, brother and sister who needs him. Whoever is involved in this kidnapping will not be at peace however big the money flow may be involved in closure of this case. Antonio’s family prayed at the holy cross at Vanxim plus brought the statue of Our Lady of Miraculous Medal, plus celebrated (offered) the Latin Mass. These prayers will all be answered. People should come out supporting tracing Antonio as today it is Antonio who is kidnapped tomorrow it could be you. 

This pamphlet will be distributed in different places of Goa explaining conspiracy behind the Antonio’s kidnapping/missing. Print this page and distribute for we at Bharat Mukti Morcha will not keep quite till Antonio is traced.

Supreme Court of India declarations and directions for Goa mining

Extracted below are points 70 and 71 containing Declarations and Directions of the Supreme Court Judgment on Goa mining in Goa Foundation v. Union of India delivered on 21^st April 2014. These are key basis for the future of mining in Goa.

71. In the result, we declare that:

(i) the deemed mining leases o the lessees in Goa expired on 22.11.1987 and the maximum of 20 years renewal period of the deemed mining leases in Goa expired on 22.11.2007 and consequently mining by the lessees after 22.11.2007 was illegal and hence the impunged order dated 10.09.2012 of Government of Goa and the impunged order dated 14.09.2012 of the MoEF, Government of India are not liable to be quashed;

(ii) dumping of minerals outside the leased area of the mining lessees is not permissible under the MMDR Act and the Rules made thereunder;

(iii) until the order dated 04.08.2006 of this Court is modified by this Court in I.A. No.1000 in T.N.Godavarman Thirululpad v. Union of India & Ors., there can be no mining activities within one kilometer from the boundaries of National Parks and Sanctuaries in Goa;

(iv) by the order dated 04.12.2006 in Writ Petition (C) No.460 of 2004 (Goa Foundation v. Union o India), this Court has not prohibited mining activities within 10 kilometers distance from the boundaries of the National Parks or Wildlife Sanctuaries;

(v) it is for the State Government to decide as a matter of policy in what manner mining leases are to be granted in future but the constitutionality re legality of the decision of the State Government can be examined by the Court in exercise of its power of judicial review.

And we direct that:

(i) MoEF will issue the notification of eco-sensitive zones around the National Park and Wildlife Sanctuaries in Goa after following the procedure discussed in this judgment within a period of six months from today;

(ii) the State Government will initiate action against those mining lessees who violate Rules 37 and 38 of the MC Rules;

(iii) the State Government will strictly enforce the Goa (Prevention of Illegal Mining, Storage and Tranportation of Minerals) Rules, 2013;

(iv) the State Government may grant mining leases of iron ores in Goa in accordance with its policy decision and in accordance with MMDR Act and  the rules made thereunder in consonance with the constitutional provisions;

(v) until the final report is submitted by the Expert Committee, the State Government will, in the interests of sustainable development and intergenerational equity, permit a maximum annual excavation of 20 million MT from the mining leases in the State of Goa other than from dump;

(vi) the Goa Pollution Control Board will strictly monitor the air and water pollution in the mining areas and exercise powers available to it under the 1974 Act and 1981 Act including the powers under Section 33A of the 1974 Act and Section 31A of the 1981 Act and furnish all relevant data to the Expert Committee;

(vii) the entire sale value of the e-auction of the inventorised ores will be forthwith realized and out of the total sale value, the Director of Mines and Geology, Government of Goa, under the supervision of the Monitoring Committee will make the following payments:

(a)    Average cost of excavation of iron ores to the mining lessees;

(b)   50% of the wages and dearness allowances to the workers in the muster rolls of the mining leases who have not been paid their wages during the period of suspension of mining operations;

(c)    50% of the claim towards storage charges of MPT.

Out of the balance, 10% will be appropriated towards the Goan Iron Ore Permanent Fund and the remaining amount will be appropriated by the State Government as the owner of the ores;

(viii) the Monitoring Committee will submit its final report on the utilization and appropriation of the sale proceeds of the inventorised ores in the manner directed in this judgment within six months from today;

(ix) henceforth, the mining lessees of iron ore will have to pay 10% of the sale price of the iron ore sold by them to the Goan Iron Ore Permanent Fund.

(x) the State Government will within six months from today frame a comprehensive scheme with regard to the Goan Iron Ore Permanent Fund in consultation with CEC for sustainable development and intergenerational equity and submit the same to this Court within six months from today; and

(xi) the Expert Committee will submit its report within six months from today on how the mining dumps in the State of Goa should be dealt with and will submit its final report within twelve months from today on the cap to be put on the annual excavation of iron ore in Goa.

70. With the aforesaid declarations and directions, Writ Petition (C) No. 435 of 2012 is allowed. The Transferred Cases and IA filed by MPT as well as other IAs also stand disposed of. The interim order dated 05.10.2012 of this Court is vacated. These matters will be listed as and when the Monitoring Committee and the Expert Committee submit their final reports and the State Government submits the scheme for the Goan Iron Ore Permanent Fund. The Parties shall bear their own costs.

A.K.Patnaik J.

Surinder Singh Nijjar J.

Fakkir Mohamed Ibrahim Kalifulla J

New Delhi

April 21, 2014

Goa's Dhangars has no place for the final rest

Lack of crematorium forced Zore family to bury Bhagyashri’s body in jungle

by Rajendra Kerkar 

This TOI story is forwarded to this blog by Dr.Anthony Rodrigues who has expressed concern on this case and others, and currently litigating before Goa State Human Rights Commission seeking directions that there must be public crematoriums owned by the state and accessible to all. Matter is slotted to come up for hearing on July 21, 2014.

In many areas of Sattari, the public crematoriums are almost absent and this repeatedly forces the socially backward families to bury or burn their deceased relatives in the remote jungle or in the no man’s land of rivers.

When the dead body of Bhagyashree who had died on the evening of June 4, 2014 was handed over to the family members on June 5, after post mortem, they had to continue long search for a piece of land to bury the deceased body. The Dhangar, who are among the Other Backward Communities (OBC) of Goa’s society are landless since the generations and when a person is dead, it is difficult to get place in the crematorium maintained by the village community easily. “In Village Panchayat Keri, at Baherilwad under the Zilla Panchayat Fund, crematorium has been built. It is a public crematorium”, said Sameer Parrikar, the secretary of Village Panchayat. However, in this crematorium, a place for performing the last rites is not easily available and hence the corpse of Bhagyashree was taken 14km away and she was buried at the foot hill of the Vagheri far away from the human settlement.

“When a woman dies during the pregnancy, prevailing superstitions that her evil spirit will haunt and trouble the locality account to bury dead body outside the boundaries of village. Bhagyashree was buried at the foothill of Vagheri since there is no public crematorium nearby and she was four month pregnant when she was killed”, laments B.D. Mote, the social leader of the Dhangar community from Sattari.

He further said, “During the last week, the Deputy Sarpanch of Pissurle Vaibhavi Humane was died. Her body was cremated behind her residential house as no crematorium available for the Dhangar community in Sattari except Bhuipal. It is inhuman and painful that life after death of Dhangar too results in struggle.”

The Dhangar, being nomadic, never possessed land. They just roamed the mountains with no fixed home. Overwhelmingly today they are engaged in agriculture as landless cultivators and as casual labourers.

Director of Social Welfare Meena Naik Goltekar when contacted by TOI said, “In order to have funeral in decent manner of a deceased person belonging to the Dhangar we have introduced the Antya Sanskar Yojana and providing the financial assistance of Rs. 20,000 or actual cost whichever is less with the provision of essential certificates. We are also in process in solving various other issues of the community.”

In 2012, brother of Bhagyashree’s husband Baburao earlier died at Dhangarwada. While performing the last rites no crematorium or land was available. The deceased body was taken to Haddwada of Talekhol in Maharashtra where villagers too took objections when his body was cremated.

Dhaku Pavane, from Bhuipal of Sattari says, “The condition of our community, all over Goa is very pitiable, we are still landless. The area where our houses are situated is also not owned by us. So, we face lots of difficulties while doing the last rites of the deceased.”