Goemkarponn Desk
Panaji: Mining activities in the state have been at a standstill since 2012 after the Union Ministry of Environment and Forest had announced suspension of environmental clearance of all 139 mining leases in the state. The mining sector contributed of about 40% of Goa’s economy and on which almost 3 lakh families were completely depended upon are now finding themselves in even more difficult situations due to this ongoing pandemic and the closure of mining in the state of Goa. The BJP government in Goa due to its utter callousness has not only added to the collapse in the economy of the state but has added to the woes of all these families who were completely dependent on mining.
Chief Minister of Goa Pramod Sawant did not bother about the reassuming of the mines or even to help these families.
The director of the directorate of mines and geology Vivek HP had also said that th state would E-Auction over 2.6 million tonnes of Iron Ore lying at jetties to help generate revenue for the state. Pramod Sawant who also holds the mines portfolio instead of following the judgements of the Supreme Court filled for a review petition which later was dismissed by the SC, this has further delayed the resumption of the mining sector in Goa. Resuming mining could have added to the revenue of the state during this difficult period when the state and our country is battling the pandemic.
AAP Goa Convenor Rahul Mhambre said “Goa should have mining operations which are sustainable for the long run & are in the interest of the people of Goa and for the benefit of the state economy.”
He further reminded people of Goa about the mining scam of Rs 35000cr which the congress government was involved but till date the BJP government has failed to recover a naya paisa from this mining scam and even have failed to follow up with the case or arrest the culprit.