PONDA
Voicing frustration over “umpteen promises” to the people by State and the central governments for a sustainable solution to resolve the mining issue in the State, the Goa Mining People’s Front (GMPF) said it indicated a lack of political will by both governments to arrive at a firm decision on the resumption of mining activity.
Addressing a news conference in Ponda on Wednesday, the GMPF, which has been at the forefront of an ongoing fight to protect livelihood of 3 lakh Goans in the State, said the woes have continued to increase as the State government had been unable to get a required solution to the mining closure for nearly 30 months.
The GMPF said all mining activities in the State were abruptly ceased on March 15, 2018 following the Supreme Court’s decision to quash renewal of 88 mining leases and since then, there have been umpteen promises to the people by State and the Central governments to get a sustainable solution but with no concrete action seen to resolve the stalemate.
Stating that Prime Minister Narendra Modi during an election campaign had acknowledged the severe impacts due to stoppage of mining and had assured the required intervention for immediate resumption of mining in Goa, the GMPF said no decisive actions have been initiated by the Central government.
If mining in Goa is not resumed for this coming season, the GMPF warned there would be serious problems faced by mining dependents.
"Chief Minister Pramod Sawant had told us every time that mining would start within the next three months and it is now over 30 months of hard times that the mining dependents have faced since the mining closure in March 2018,” said GMPF President Puti Gaonkar.
“We are given to understand that the State and central governments want mining to resume in Goa and both are BJP governments. It’s a lack of political will by the State and central governments to arrive at a firm decision for resumption of mining in Goa,” lamented Gaonkar.
“In this time of distress, how long is the government going to wait for the Supreme Court decision when the case is not yet even heard? We are also not given any confidence that the proposal for legislative cure is even moved by the Union Ministry of Mines.”
Clarifying that the GMPF does not doubt the intention of the chief minister about his commitment to restart mining in the State, Gaonkar said they have sought an appointment with the chief minister to to put before him their woes and plead with him not to bring them to the streets to protest against the government’s failure to protect their livelihood.
“We will also offer our suggestion to restart mining on the basis of existing court orders and mining laws, be it starting actual mining activity at a smaller scale. Our livelihood cannot wait endlessly as our savings are eroding and even basic amenities to our family, including children education, have become a burden.”
Gaonkar said the GMPF will meet cabinet ministers and the opposition leader regarding the cabinet meeting declared by the chief minister after coming from Delhi.
“We are all awaiting a solution to the resumption of mining. We implore the government not to force us to take any drastic steps and at the same time, we assure to stand by the government’s decision of any solution decided by them on resumption of mining activity, so that people get back their jobs and other forms of employment in coming season itself starting from November/December,” said Gaonkar.
Mining truckers running out of patience: Gauns
PONDA: Stating that mining truckers are running out of patience after running into losses in an attempt to remain in the business, Goa Mining People’s Front (GMPF) Vice President and president of Dharbandora Truck Owners Association Vinayak (Balaji) Gauns said it is high time the government seriously takes up the matter to restart mining in the State.
Highlighting the difficulties faced by the truckers in the mining sector, Gauns said the truckers are among the biggest sufferers in this process of delay in mining resumption.
“Many of the trucks are rotting at the place they are parked as there is no fund to maintain the trucks. The truck owner has to pay for truck maintenance and fixed cost of taxes/insurance every year.”
“Besides making up for this cost, the trucks have to continuously run for a full season if a truck owner has to earn a living for his family. How will we afford to pay the driver who also have a family to support?”
“Our trucks have to queue for 12-15 hours to get one trip of 30 kms. How can we afford this business” asked Gauns.
Emphasising the importance of resuming mining on a regular basis for smooth business, Gauns added, “piecemeal working for auction quantities will not be sustainable for the large truck industry connected with mining in Goa.”
