the goan I network
PANAJI
The delegation of Goa Mining People’s Front (GMPF) on Wednesday met Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad with
a demand to expedite the procedure of amendment in the Mines and Mineral Development and Regulation Act (MMDR) as a remedy to immediately resume mining in Goa.
The delegation led by GMPF leader Puti Gaonkar also met Union Minister for Commerce Suresh Prabhu.
Upon meeting the Union Law Minister, the delegation discussed in detail the delay in resolving the commencement of mining in Goa.
They further pointed out that the file pertaining to the proposal to amend the law is pending before the Attorney General’s Office.
The minister has assured the delegation that he will take necessary steps to get the file cleared as the state and central government is in the process of resolving the mining issue in Goa.
He also said that at the request of Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar, a group of union ministers was formed to especially deal with the Goa-related mining issue headed by Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari.
Acknowledging that the file related to the mining issue is with the Attorney General, Union Minister Prasad assured the delegation that necessary steps will be taken to expedite the procedure related to the law department.
The delegation also met Union Minister for Commerce Suresh Prabhu and urged him to extend all necessary help to move the amendment to immediately restart mining operations in Goa.
The Minister assured the delegation that one on his
officers would monitor the process.
The mining sector in the coastal state came to a standstill on March 16, after the Supreme Court, in an order passed in February this year, quashed 88 mining leases and banned the extraction of fresh ore.
The Goa Mining People’s Front, an umbrella organisation of people associated with the mining sector, has begun submitting memorandums to ministers and MLAs asking them to look into the Goa mining issue as the livelihoods of many were affected by the ban.
The Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar in September this year had written to Union Mines Minister Narendra Singh Tomar to amend the Mines and Mineral Development and Regulation Act (MMDR) to resume mining in Goa.
The proposal of the CM has been referred to the Attorney General of India.
Three days earlier,
the Goa Town and Country Minister Vijai Sardesai had met the Union Minister Suresh Prabhu with a demand to find ways for the resumption of
the mining sector in the coastal state.
