TEAM HERALD
PANJIM: United Mine Workers Union (UMWU) has petitioned Union Minister for Environment and Forest (MoEF) Prakash Javadekar to withdraw the suspension on the mining environment clearances (ECs), imposed by his Ministry in September 2012.
“The sudden and unexpected stoppage of iron ore mining in Goa has drastically affected the livelihood of more than thousands of people, besides affecting the State’s economy for the past two years. Till the suspension of the iron ore mining, the industry was the biggest employer since 1950,” the petition reads.
The Union members have claimed that annually, mining contributes Rs 1,480 crore to the State exchequer –Rs 6,000 crore by way of custom duty, Rs 3,000 crore income tax and Rs 1000 crore service tax to the Central government. “More than 30 percent population of the State is directly dependent on the industry,” UMWU General Secretary P Gaonkar said.
Gaonkar informed MoEF that the Supreme Court has already lifted its October 2012 imposed ban and State government also lifted its ban in January, this year.
“As such, now the situation cannot be allowed to drift for an indefinite period and immediate commencement of mining operation in Goa is necessary for the sustainable development of Goa and common survival of the people,” he said.
