PONDA
Requesting the government to intervene in the best interest of the stakeholders, the Dharbandora Taluka Truck Association has said the fresh crisis facing the mining sector following the Supreme Court order cancelling 88 mining leases in the State would affect employees of all mining companies.
“The Supreme Court has said the fresh licences will now have to be granted by authorities through an auction process as per law. This will take time and this business will come to a standstill untill then,” feared association President Vinayak alias
Balaji Gawas
“The State government is responsible for the fresh problem facing the mining sector, as it should have had adhered to Supreme Court guidelines. This will be a problem for all workers of mining companies. Who knows whether the existing companies will win the auction? If they don’t bag these, then what is the fate of their employees?” asked Gawas.
“Before the last Lok Sabha election, BJP leaders had promised that if Narendra Modi becomes the prime minister, then mining in Goa would start within 15 days. But it did not happen.”
Gawas has requested the government to intervene in the matter. Speaking to The Goan, Kirlapal-Dabal Panch and truck owner Mohan Gaonkar said this is another problem they would have to face after the previous suspension of mining activity.
“During the last crisis, we managed to repay loans of trucks and machinery. Many truckers sold their gold ornaments and managed to repay loans. Now, nothing is left for us to repay existing loans which we took to repair trucks,” said Gaonkar.
“Now, with this SC order we will not get business and hence we will not be able to repay loans. The government should intervene and continue this business until May,” he added.
