PANJIM: The Goa Foundation (GF) has alleged that the illegal transportation of iron ore from Codli is in violation of lockdown guidelines imposed nationwide.
In a press statement issued on Saturday, GF Director Claude Alvares said that media has reported resumption of movement of mining trucks carrying ore to Vedanta’s pig iron plant at Amona, and to the Codli mining lease, where Vedanta is operating beneficiation plants with the active connivance of the State government, despite environmental norm requirements.
“This is a misuse of the COVID-19 lockdown guidelines issued by the Central government,” he said.
Alvares said that while lakhs of Goans have been told to stay at home and to wear masks, heavy and uncontrolled movement of mining trucks through human settlements makes nonsense of these directions.
"This is sheer hypocrisy. COVID-19, the State government should be reminded, is a respiratory illness. By what yardstick is an activity that is closely associated with respiratory illness being allowed in the hot summer on State’s roads, with COVID-19 lurking around every corner?” he questioned.
Alvares said that though the lockdown guidelines allow mineral production and transportation this is only construed as movement related to essential production of iron and steel within the country.