RAKSHA MANTRI-SPEAK
* Though the mining industry has created jobs in the past, it will not create any more new jobs
* I don't think that mining business will surge in the next seven years. Hence, we should look for alternatives
* With the collapse in international iron ore prices, there are very less chances that this industry can be sustain any more
* We can't rely on mining business now. Both (State and Central) governments are working hard to develop tourism and industries
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OPPOSITION LAMBASTED
Turning his attention to the opposition parties, Parrikar said: “They should introspect on what they did for Goa. Now, they are opposing the third bridge in Panaji. They should have fought for the Mhadei river, which is most important to our state,” he said.
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PONDA: Expressing strong doubts over the future of mining in the State, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar on Saturday said that the Centre and State government were turning to tourism and pollution free industries as catalysts to the exchequer and to generate jobs.
Parrikar was speaking after laying the foundation stone for a garment industry at Shiroda. Minister for Industries Mahadev Naik, IDC Chairman MLA Ganesh Gaonkar, BJP State President Vinay Tendulkar, Industrialist Anil Peshawari and others were present on the occasion.
Parrikar's comments have come at a time when iron ore truck operators in the state have been protesting against the ore transportation rates and have demanded a higher transportation rate from mining companies.
“Though the mining industry has created jobs in the past, it will not create any new jobs. The international iron ore prices have collapsed and in this situation, I don't think that mining business will surge in the next seven years. Hence, we should look for alternatives." Parrikar said.
“With the collapse in international iron ore prices, there are very less chances that this industry can be sustain any more and hence, the Centre along with state government is looking at tourism and pollution free industries as catalysts to the exchequer and to generate jobs.”
“We can't rely on mining business now. Both governments are working hard to develop tourism and industries, so that jobs can be generated in these two areas,” Parrikar added.
The defence minister stated that the Centre would help Goa Shipyard Limited to create about 4,000 jobs within the next four years, by increasing turnover at GSL.
“In this regard, opportunities for apprentices and trainers have begun,” he said.
He also emphasized of starting skill development programs in schools apart rom curriculum.
In his address, Anil Peshawari said nobody had pursued the business of garments in Goa.
“But when I came here, I got the support from the government and this made me think serious about this project,” he said.
Expressing happiness on the setting up of a garment industry at Shiroda, Mahadev Naik said that this is the best project which would generate many jobs. This industrial estate will generate more than 2,000 jobs,” Naik said.
Speaking on the occasion, MLA Ganesh Gaonkar said that industrialists would invest only when they are satisfied about the safety, workmanship and business interests.
“We are happy that they are investing here in Goa,” Gaonkar said.
