TEAM HERALD
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PANJIM: For the first time a section of the mining dependent people under the All India Trade Union Congress umbrella have targeted the Manohar Parrikar government for the continuing mining ‘crisis’, for not doing enough to end the mining ban and “taking the Supreme Court lightly.”
At a press conference on Saturday All India Trade Union Congress general secretary Christopher Fonseca accused the Parrikar government for failing to present a strong case before the Supreme Court for resumption of mining activities. The Goa Mining People’s Front has also pointed out that the Supreme Court had not considered their plea at earlier hearings arguing that they had heard Karnataka, and even Orissa (mining dependents). He also argued that mining affected the livelihood of over four lakh people.
“Our CM in Goa thinks he knows everything and that there is nobody in Goa who knows anything other than him, and that is the problem. And that is the impression not only in Goa but all over India. And that is actually failing us and creating problems for the state,” he said arguing that it was time to “call a spade a spade.”
Mining in Goa is currently halted following a Supreme Court ad interim order banning mining activity, transport and export. The ongoing petition on illegal versus legal mining case would now be heard after the court vacation.
“Such a technocratic Chief Minister, such a brilliant Chief Minister… who claims to be brilliant and everyone claims him to be a brilliant Chief Minister… We had a poor show in the Supreme Court, an absolutely poor show. And if this is the kind of governance we are talking about then the future of Goa is very bleak,” he argued.
Admitting that resumption of mining is in the hands of apex court, Fonseca said ‘State and Centre have their own issues, where they are not joining hands and as a result people are made to suffer’.
Speaking about GMPF recent visit to New Delhi, Fonseca said that Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram has assured to consider granting a financial package to the State, provided there is a concrete proposal from the State government.
“A proposal from mining dependent cannot be considered. There has to be an initiative from government,” Fonseca said quoting Chidambaram, who claimed that so far no proposal has been received.
GMPF has requested Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh to put up a plea before the Supreme Court for day-to-day hearing of the illegal mining case notwithstanding the vacations, which he has agreed to consider, Fonseca said. GMPF is likely to have a convention of all mining stakeholders, shortly.
