How Goa authorities unearthed massive sand mining racket under fisheries firm facade

MARGAO: A sophisticated illegal sand extraction operation being conducted behind the facade of a registered fisheries firm at Xelvona, near Curchorem, was uncovered by the authorities on Wednesday.
A joint inspection team comprising the Quepem mamlatdar, department of mines and geology, and Curchorem police conducted a surprise inspection of an industrial unit registered as a fishery plant, only to reveal that the premises housed no actual fishery activities.
Instead, the inspection team discovered an elaborate sand mining set-up complete with industrial-grade suction pumps and huge stockpiles of illegally extracted sand stacked by the riverside. Officials suspect the operation may have been running for a considerable time, successfully concealing its true nature of activities through its registration as a fisheries unit.
A rather unusual situation unfolded when the officials arrived at the site. Workers claimed they were locked inside the compound and that only the owner had access to the keys. The gate was finally opened, at which point a number of labourers fled from the premises.
A senior official said it was a serious case of misuse of commercial licensing. Sources said that apart from environmental violations, the raiding team also found the working condition of the labourers in violation of laws.
The department of mines and geology began the process of sealing all equipment on site and confiscating the extracted sand. Official sources said that investigation will focus on identifying all the parties involved and determining since when the illegal activities were being conducted.
Chief minister Pramod Sawant had recently addressed the issue of illegal sand mining. He had said proper permits are currently delayed pending CRZ clearances from the Union environment ministry. “We’re working with central govt officials (to resolve these hurdles),” Sawant said.