Team Herald
PANJIM: The State government on Sunday said that the scheduled protest by the people affected due to closure of mining industry on Monday (March 19) in Panjim is ‘unwanted’ as the current crisis has emerged out of the Supreme Court verdict.
Ahead of mega protest, the Cabinet Advisory Committee (CAC) met in Panjim on Sunday evening to take stock of the situation. TCP Minister Vijai Sardesai, who is a part of the CAC along with PWD Minister Sudin Dhavalikar and Francis D’Souza said that the meeting was held as the decision to hold such a rally was announced by mining dependents at the last minute.
Addressing the media, TCP Minister Vijai Sardesai said, “The Goa government has not been responsible for the current crisis on the mining industry, which has surfaced due to the Supreme Court verdict. There was no need for the mining dependents to hold the protest in Panjim as they have no one to impress upon. Government is already sympathising over their demand”
“We also believe that the closure was abrupt and it has come second time due to which the people dependent on this industry are forced to face inconvenience. We are convinced over the issue and there is no need to impress us. What will they get by striking in Panjim,” asked Sardesai.
He said that the government’s actions are in support of those affected with the closure of the mining industry and called upon the agitators to maintain discipline and hold their protest at Campal Parade Ground without disturbing the normal life in Panjim.
The minister also pointed out that currently the examinations of the students are on and if anyone misses his/her paper due to the strike, the protestors will lose all the sympathy.
“Many students are answering Std XII exams tomorrow (Monday). Agitators will lose the sympathy if they anyway inconvenience them,” Sardesai said.
Dhavalikar said that the protestors should not resort to any action breaking law and order situation in the city while requesting them to change the timing of the rally after 10.30 am so that HSSC students are not inconvenienced.
“All the 40 legislators including Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar are well aware about the crisis and we are with them during these days but any attempt to violate law will not be tolerated” he warned.
However, the Transport Minister also appealed to the hotel industry to ask the tourists not to move out during morning hours on Monday as they might face traffic jam.
