the goan I network
PONDA
A number of mining dependents on Wednesday evening took part in a candle-lit march from Pansule to Usgao Tisk to draw the government’s attention to the mining issue and to voice dismay over the failure of the State and Central governments to resume the activity.
Speaking on the occasion, Goa Mining People’s Front (GMPF) President Puti Gaonkar said they had petitioned several ministers, but nothing had been done till date.
“The governments in the State and at the Centre are asleep. They have done nothing to restart mining activities and we have staged this rally to draw their attention to our plight,” Gaonkar said.
Another leader Sandeep Pauskar said the mining dependents have been requesting governments to restart mining business since the last four months, but they had done virtually nothing in the matter. The GMPF has demanded a monthly package of Rs 25,000 for all mining dependents till mining activity resumes. It wants the disbursal of the package to begin from this Chaturthi festival, failing which it has threatened to intensify its agitation in Goa and the national capital.
Dharbandora Taluka Truck Owners Association President Balaji Gawas and others were present on the occasion.
Speakers lamented that despite the recent assembly session passing a resolution supporting necessary amendments, nothing had been done so far.
It may be recalled that the Goa Legislative Assembly had unanimously passed a resolution urging the Centre to amend two acts connected to restart mining activity in
the State.
