PANAJI
The Goa Barge Owner's Association has sought "immediate solution" to the mining industry imbroglio which has shut down the sector since the March 2018 verdict of the Supreme Court of India and has claimed an aggregate loss of Rs 500 crore.
The association made the appeal to both the Central and State governments, saying the mining industry was the bedrock for other ancillary enterprises.
It said the revival of mining is key to finding solutions to the pandemic induced slowdown in the economy and unemployment.
"We had 304 barges in the state before mining was banned by the Apex Court. Today, we are left only with 105 barges and these are also getting worn out because we do not have any money for their maintenance," Atul Jhadav who heads the association said.
Jadhav further added: "The barge owners have collectively incurred a loss in excess of Rs 500 crores in the last 30 months and the debts are further rising because of the inability to repay the instalments."
The matter of resuming iron ore mining is before the Supreme Court with the State government having moved a review petition and mining companies also filing petitions challenging the law on abolition of erstwhile, Portuguese era 'mining concessions'.
