BICHOLIM, Jan. 27 -- Terming the mining activities in villages of Bicholim taluka as an example of the blatant overruling of rules set by the Central and State governments, Environmentalist Ramesh Gawas said that in Goa "people elect representatives and miners select representatives".

Environmentalists have alleged that the leasing of mining areas, the environmental clearances and the operations are completely contrary to law and cannot be conducted even a single day.

He spoke to O Heraldo, in the heart of the mining belt in the Bicholim taluka

Activist Ramesh Gawas explained how the government of Goa has concealed the facts to aid the mining operations.

"When the Government auctioned mines they called them blocks and not leases. The ...