Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar has ruled out the Centre’s intervention in Goa’s mining imbroglio. The very statement has dealt a severe blow to any hopes of early resumption of mining. If Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s talk of a ‘judicious’ solution ignited hopes, this was a moment where these hopes were dashed.
From the Centre’s perspective, there were tough choices to be made and there were consequences to be faced. There were two possible outcomes had it to go ahead with the much-talked about ‘legislative cure’. One is facing the people with “at least we tried attitude” and facing the consequences arising out of any Supreme Court scrutiny. The Modi-government preferred to play it safe.
The ball is now in the State government’s court and the options are limited. Forming a corporation or taking the auction route will weigh heavily on the mind of the government. But none of these options can give relief to the thousands of mining dependents who are fighting for their livelihood and running from pillar to post, knocking at every possible leader’s door seeking redressal. Mining has not only been the mainstay of Goa’s economy, but was also a source of livelihood to a vast section of society. The corporation or the auction route cannot guarantee this to the mining-affected people.
We have a glaring example right in front of our eyes. Dilip Buildcon, a leading engineering procurement construction company has won the multi-crore bid to build an entire stretch of highway from Verna to Siridao, including the signature Zuari bridge. While there is heavy deployment of man and machinery sourced from outside the State, Goans have been only silent onlookers, perhaps reading the signages put up along the route that read ‘today’s pain is tomorrow’s gain’. There is no local involvement, both in terms of manpower and machines. Any solution that is being worked out in mining should first have the ground realities covered. The livelihoods of the dependents are paramount.
The auction route is not as simple as it may appear. There are issues such as surface rights to be settled. The mine areas which are currently interwoven with remote villages need to be clearly demarcated. There are issues of clearances. It’s going to be a painstakingly long wait for the dependents, an option which cannot have a timeline.
The mining picture continues to be gloomy, but it’s time there is clarity of thought. There is no point in playing bluff because of elections and there can’t be false hopes either. Enough deadlines have been set and promises made for over a year. Top political minds, from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP National President Amit Shah, Union Mines Minister Narendra Singh Tomar and Goa leaders were at work, but have failed to put a solution on the table. There can’t be a quick-fix now. It’s time government sits across with stake-holders and representatives of mining-dependents and decides on the way ahead.
