the goan I network
VALPOI
Stepping up pressure on the government to resolve the mining crisis, mining dependents from various talukas have decided to hold a massive rally and public meeting in Panaji on March 19.
Stating this at two different public meetings convened at Mayem and Honda on Friday, All Goa Truck Owners Association President Nilkanth Gawas added that mining dependents would, if needed, proceed on an indefinite sit-in agitation at Azad Maidan till resumption of mining operations in the State.
At the meeting in Dhabdaba-Mayem, Gawas accused all MLAs of failing to take steps to continue mining operations in the State. He challenged the MLAs to step down if they were unable to explain what they had done in the interest of the mining dependent people.
Gawas also declared that MLAs would not be permitted to speak during their rally and public meeting on March 19, unless they commit their support to the agitation.
Addressing a second meeting at the Sundaram hall complex in Honda later in the day, Gawas said the government should be held accountable for the closure of mining activity.
He added that the rally would be conducted in Panaji, following by a public meeting at the Azad maidan.
The largely attended gathering, which comprised members from various truck associations and worker unions, vowed to continue their agitation till mining activity was resumed in the State.
“Funds lying in the government treasury should be utilised to facilitate mining dependents,” said Gawas, while appealing to all people to support the mining dependents since the mining sector was crucial to the State’s economy.
Sesa Goa Workers Union President Devanand Parab said it was now a do or die situation for the mining dependents as their survival was at stake. He assured that several thousands of workers would take part in the protest rally in Panaji.
Dharbandora Truck Association President Balaji Gawas said the agitation should be hugely successful and historic, so that the impact should be felt in Delhi to achieve their demands.
North Goa Truck Association President Suresh Desai and Sakhali Municipal Council chief Dharmesh Saglani also spoke on the occasion.
