Team Herald
Panjim: With all doors towards resumption of the iron ore industry coming to an end with a lackluster response from the Central and State government, the Goa Mining People’s Front (GMPF), a forum of mining dependents, as a last resort, has launched an online petition, garnering support from public globally, to seek Chief Justice of India’s intervention in resolving the ongoing mining crisis.
GMPF has launched online petition called “Protection of Livelihood of Lakhs of Goans through early Resumption of Mining in Goa”, addressing to Chief Justice of India, President of India, Prime Minister, Union Mines Minister, Governor of Goa, Chief Minister of Goa amongst others. Name of AICC President Rahul Gandhi also figures in the list of ‘decision makers’.
The petitioner has claimed that if mining doesn’t restart at the earliest there may exist a strong possibility that the State may never recover from the social and economic point of view.
“Mining industry in the State of Goa has been a key contributor to socio-economic development of the State. The industry has contributed keenly to the development of the State, whether it be developing critical infrastructure in Health, Social, sporting or educational fields,” the petition reads.
“Despite this, there exists no industry as maligned as the mining industry in the State. People with their own selfish and illicit agenda are hell bent on destroying an industry and discrediting it contribution to the State,” it added.
GMPF said since closure of mining industry last year, people engaged in the sector are hanging on hope and prayers that mining will resume at the earliest, however, days turned into weeks, weeks into months and months into a year but there is no solace to around three lakhs people, dependent on the industry.
It said that mining industry in Goa is the only means of livelihood for nearly 60,000 people (directly and indirectly employed), with a multiplier effect felt on various sections of the population.
It pointed out how the front has been pursuing the matter for resumption of the industry and have held peaceful dharnas, rallies and sit in protest for three days in New Delhi.
GMPF delegation met political leaders across the State and Centre including President of India Ram Nath Kovind, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Mines Minister Narendra Singh Tomar, Union Shipping Minister Nitin Gadkari, BJP national president Amit Shah.
“However, the question remains how long can someone keep on persevering in the face of adversity, it been a year thousands have not earned a single penny. Soon many more may be left with no source of livelihood,” it claimed.
