Bicholim/Mulgao: A fresh controversy has emerged over the official minutes of a high-level meeting chaired by Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant on March 12, 2026, regarding mining-related grievances in Mulgao village, with the Village Panchayat formally alleging that the recorded minutes are “incomplete and misleading” and fail to reflect the core concerns raised by villagers.

Official Minutes Outline Key Directives

The meeting, held at the Goa Legislative Assembly Complex, Porvorim, was attended by multiple stakeholders including representatives of M/s Vedanta Limited (the mining lessee), officials from the Directorate of Mines & Geology (DMG), Panchayat members, Communidade representatives, and local committees.

As per the official minutes issued by the Office of the Deputy Collector & SDO, Bicholim, the following key directions were recorded:

Demarcation of Residential Structures:
The DMG was tasked with identifying residential houses within the mining lease area and marking safe distances to restrict mining activity near habitation zones.

Desilting of Lake/Settling Ponds:
Vedanta Limited was directed to undertake desilting operations within the lease area, with technical guidance from the Goa State Biodiversity Board, ensuring environmentally appropriate methods.

Precautionary Measures:
The mining lessee was instructed to minimize inconvenience to villagers, especially during monsoon.

Compensation to Communidade:
Immediate payment of compensation was to be ensured, with formal agreements to be executed.

Local Employment:
Priority was to be given to Mulgao residents in employment and transport contracts related to mining operations.

Night Shift Restrictions:
Mining operations during night hours were to be reduced in March and April in view of ongoing school examinations.

Commencement of Mining:
The minutes state that mining operations could commence following survey/demarcation, with a timeline indicated around mid-March 2026, subject to compliance with norms.


Panchayat Disputes Record, Calls It ‘Misleading’

However, in a detailed written communication dated March 23, 2026, the Village Panchayat of Mulgao has strongly objected to the contents of the minutes, claiming they distort the intent and outcome of the meeting.

The Panchayat stated that a plain reading of the minutes suggests the meeting was convened primarily to address the concerns of the mining lessee, M/s Vedanta Ltd., rather than those of the affected villagers.

“The minutes, as presently drafted, are incomplete and misleading. They deceptively highlight compensation as if it were the primary demand, whereas in reality, compensation was never the central issue,” the Panchayat noted in its reply.

Key Villagers’ Demands Allegedly Omitted

According to the Panchayat, several critical demands raised during the meeting were either inadequately recorded or entirely omitted:

Removal of Settlements from Lease Area:
Villagers had demanded that residential areas, temples, schools, and Panchayat offices be excluded from the mining lease. It was also claimed that the Chief Minister suggested that the mining company provide written assurance that no mining would occur in residential zones—a point missing in the official minutes.

Buffer Zone Demarcation (RP-2021):
The Panchayat highlighted that strict demarcation of buffer zones as per Regional Plan 2021 was a major demand, but finds no mention in the minutes.

Lake Restoration, Not Just Desilting:
Villagers pointed out that the village lake has shrunk drastically—from approximately 16,000 sq. m to 5,000 sq. m—due to siltation. While the minutes mention desilting, they allegedly omit the demand for full ecological restoration.

Complete Halt to Night Mining:
Contrary to the recorded direction of “reduction,” villagers had demanded a total stoppage of night shift mining operations.

Desilting of Paddy Fields & Compensation:
This demand, raised during discussions, is reportedly absent in the official record.

Opposition to Immediate Mining Resumption:
The Panchayat stated that villagers had categorically opposed the commencement of mining until key conditions—such as removal of settlements, buffer demarcation, and cessation of night operations—were fulfilled.


Demand for Revision of Minutes

The Panchayat has asserted that such omissions “distort the proceedings and undermine the very purpose of the meeting.” It has formally requested authorities to revise and resubmit the minutes to accurately reflect the grievances and demands of Mulgao villagers.

“The present version, being deficient and misleading, cannot be accepted,” the Panchayat stated, urging prompt corrective action.

Larger Implications

The dispute highlights a deeper conflict between local communities and mining operations in Goa, particularly over environmental safeguards, habitation safety, and participatory decision-making.

With mining resumption timelines indicated in the official record, the disagreement over what was actually agreed upon in the meeting could have significant implications for both policy implementation and public trust.

The issue is now expected to escalate, with villagers and local bodies likely to push for greater transparency and accountability in official documentation and decision-making processes.