Even as Goans are opposing the mineral ore transportation during three-day lockdwon, the Ministry of Labour and Employment, Director General of Mines Safety have asked for uninterrupted mineral production, transportation of mineral etc. to sustain mineral production activities during lockdown period due to COVID-19 pandemic.
This morning the residents of Bicholim stopped mining transportation, which prompted police to intervene.
“As you are aware, the Central as well as the State Governments have issued various directives to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. The Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India has issued guidelines vide order no 40-3/2020 DM-I (A) dt 24- 03- 2020 to Ministries/ Departments of Government of India, State Union Territory Governments and State /Union Territory authorities for strict implementation with effect from 25032020,” the letter to the agents and mine operators said.
It said that at clause 5 of the said guidelines industrial establishments which require continuous process are exempted from shut down. Subsequently, Ministry of Home Affairs vide order no 40-3/2020- DM -I (A) dt 25-03-2020 has issued an addendum to the guidelines dt 24-03-2020 by adding, inter alia, to clause 5 as under:
“Sub clause (c) to clause 5:
(c) coal and mineral production, transportation, supply of explosives and activities incidental to mining operations .”
Further, it says, the Ministry of Mines, Government of India, has also issued advisory to all State Governments with a request to issue necessary instructions to the concerned authorities to allow mining operations during the lockdown period to ensure continuity of operations at Steel, Aluminium, Copper, Cement and other such plants which require continuous industrial process.
“Coal and mineral production is essential to ensure that the nation smoothly passes through the present crisis. However, it needs to be ensured that the mine workers, officials and others engaged in mining, transportation and other activities Incidental to mining operations take adequate precautions so that they do not get infected and do not become a medium to the spread of the corona virus. It is also required to follow the advisories issued in this regards by the Ministry of Home Affairs Government of India and the SOPs and advisories issued to the State Governments by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, including ICMR, NDMA and other related agencies,” it said.