Panaji, Jun 14 (PTI) There has been a sharp rise in the number of new liquor outlets being opened in the mining belt, where economy is booming but people are living on the edge due to environmental hazards, a leading activist said today. Ramesh Gawas, an RTI activist and an environmentalist told reporters today that rising liquor consumption has become a serious problem in the mining belt which is reflected in the number of liquor outlets (Bars) opened in this area. Quoting statistics from the state excise department, Gawas said that the number of bars in the mining belt has gone up from double to four digits which is far more in comparison to tourist areas. "One reason for it could be the booming economy. But people are falling prey to pollution and diseases," he said. Gavas said that there has been no change on the ground level, even three months after Manohar Parrikar government took over the reigns of the state. "On the ground, I see no change. The change is only in the type of arguments floated about mining industry. Attempts are made to camouflage the illegal mining industry," Gawas said. "The rivers in mining belt are critically polluted but neither state nor central pollution control boards has an accurate data about it," he added. PTI RPS
