VASCO
Expressing shock over the Supreme Court’s decision to scrap all renewed mining leases in the State, the Goa Barge Owners Association (GBOA) on Wednesday convened a meeting to chalk out future course of action in light of the apex court’s decision.
GBOA advocate Balkrishna Sardessai was also invited and a copy of the SC order was given to him to study details and explain it to the members.
Later speaking to the media, GBOA President Raymond D’Sa said the meeting was convened to take a collective decision on the next step to be taken after the Supreme Court decision to cancel renewal of 88 mining leases.
“The State government had arranged to renew all leases and many members had repaired their barges, despite shortage of funds, by even arranging further loans.”
“The Supreme Court order is shocking. Our barges are idle and we have had made just about eight-ten trips this year. There was hope that mining would resume. We felt we could start our businesses and repay our loans.”
“With this decision, everything will shut down and the industry will collapse. All mining dependents in Goa will also be affected. We have given the file to our advocate to study and we will decide the future course of action after the order is studied by our advocate,” said D’Sa.
Advocate Balkrishna Sardessai said he would have to study the order and accordingly decide on the next process.
“We have to study the order and accordingly see how we can place our grievances and before which court. There is nothing wrong with the Supreme Court order as it has very categorically stated what it wants to define.”
“We cannot comment until we are sure of our position. We have not done anything wrong so we must not be made to face anything wrong,” said Sardessai.
GBOA Past President Atul Jadhav, however, said they could still request the State government to expedite the process of renewal of mining leases.
“We have taken loans to the tune of Rs 109 crore. We were hoping to pay off. Now if the renewal takes time and if our banks are unclear as to when mining will resume, no financial institution or bank will finance or fund us.”
“We have to approach the government and authorities concerned to ensure that banks don’t take a harsh stance against us at this juncture,” said Jadhav.
