the goan I network
PANAJI
Poriem MLA and former Chief Minister Pratapsingh Rane, one of the remaining five members of the Congress, on Monday questioned the government about what efforts exactly it has made to seriously resume mining in the state.
Rane was speaking to oppose the thanks motion to the Goa governor for her address to the Assembly in January 2019.
“40,000 people were left unemployed by the mining closure. What steps have been taken by the government to convince the central government to amend the Mining Act?” Rane demanded.
He further asked what concrete steps were taken by the government to generate employment for those who had been left without employment.
“Have any new industries come in Goa after mining closure? Give us the names of these and how many people have been employed in these alternative industries,” said Rane, adding that it was unfortunate that so many trucks and so much machinery related to mining had been left to rot.
Mayem MLA Pravin Zantye, in his turn, also brought up mining, saying that mining had led to a liability of Rs 18,000 crores to the state.
“If mining doesn’t resume, this liability will keep increasing,” said Zantye, saying that at least 25-30% of the state’s population was continuing to be affected every day that mining did not resume.
