PANAJI
Seeking prompt hearings by the Supreme Court of India in matters related to the beleaguered mining industry the Goa Mining People's Front, a collective of the out-of-work employees and businesses linked to mining, has said the resumption of mining could help Goa's economy amid the Covid-19 pandemic setback.
"It will be smarter for the state government to concentrate on restarting Goa mining operations to address the battered economic and unemployment crisis of the state. Revenue through mining can be more practical than aimlessly targeting to attract tourists to Goa amid the second wave of Covid because the mining sector is not directly affected by the pandemic like tourism," Puti Gaonkar, GMPF chief said in a statement.
"The Goa and Central Government has to pray for early hearing (of the cases) before the Apex Court on impending Goa mining matter, before the court breaks for a vacation on May 15 or has to consider a legislative cure for the sake of common mining dependent people and state's revenue," Gaonkar's statement added.
Gaonkar termed it as "disheartening" that the Central government is showing no willingness to consider Goa's request for amendments to The Goa Daman Diu Concession Abolition Act, 1987 for prospective jurisdiction so mining in Goa can restart.
"Waiting aimlessly for the Supreme Court to decide on our livelihood is not what we expect from the government," the statement adds.
