CURCHOREM: The Goa Mining People Front (GMPF) demanded with the State government to re-start mining activities in the State before March 15, on Thursday.
During a meeting, held at Sanvordem, President Puti Gaonkar said that the Supreme Court has not stopped mining in the State.
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“The Apex Court has given order on February 7, 2018 stating that the second renewal given by the government is illegal and therefore it was struck down and asked to follow the correct procedure. But the government is interpreting the order to favour whom we do not know,” alleged Gaonkar.
He further said that nowhere in the world, the natural resources are auctioned to do the allotment except in India and some other two countries.
“Natural resources belong to the country and must be used for the benefit of the people without aiming profit for the government. It looks like the aim of the government is to bring the poor mining dependent people back to their level, who have come up due to mining activities or to find out an auction route to favour the big industrialists,” claimed Gaonkar.
“Three months earlier, I had given my opinion to the Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant through a special note stating that mining can be re-started in the State in the existing condition. Only personal willpower is required,” said Gaonkar and informed that a simple amendment is required to Goa, Daman and Diu Mining Concession Abolition Act.
Barge Owner Association President Jadhav said that the Central government has issued a notification stating that if the State government failed to re-start the mining then the Central government will hold auction to re-start the mining.”
He urged the association and NGOs to oppose it as mines are State government’s properties and its resources must be used for the benefit of its people.
