PANAJI
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant yet again pushed for a legal remedy to restart mining in Goa when he met and discussed the issue with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the national capital on Wednesday.
Sawant said it was a "fruitful discussion" with the Prime Minister adding but did not say anything more beyond repeating the often quoted hope of a "positive outcome in the coming days".
The mining industry a crucial cog in Goa's economic engine has been operationally shut since March 2018 following a Supreme Court judgement which declared all 88 operational leases then, illegal.
It was the second time that the Apex Court ordered the industry shut after it had earlier banned the activity in the wake of the Shah Commission report alleging a whopping Rs 35,000 crore 'illegal mining' scam.
Industry captains in Goa are meanwhile pinning their hopes on pleas some companies have filed before the Supreme Court for revalidation of leases with a challenge of the Goa Daman and Diu Abolition of Mining Concessions Act.
Also pending before the Supreme Court is a review petition of the State government seeking modification of the February 2018 judgement halting mining operations from mid-March that year to date.
Meanwhile, Sawant also met and had discussion on resolving the mining resumption stalemate with the Union Mines Minister Prahlad Joshi and the Union Mines Secretary while in Delhi on Wednesday.
Another option being explored and pushed for by the State is a legislative cure with the Centre amending the Mines & Minerals Development and Regulations Act but Delhi is not yet inclined to adopt that route.
