TEAM HERALD
PANJIM: The BJP-led government reported move to lift the mining suspension, imposed by it on September 9, last year has not been well-welcomed by the trade union, which has termed the exercise as ‘showbiz’ and has called for a public meeting on August 29 in Panjim demanding immediate resumption of mining.
The All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC), which has been active towards the struggle of people affected by halting of mining activities in the State, has said that “the government decision to lift mining ban after almost a year is of no use’.
“What is point in withdrawing the mining suspension now when the damage is done and when the matter is been out of government hand?” questioned AITUC general secretary Christopher Fonseca responding to a question during a press conference on Sunday. “The issue is now with the SC which is not ready to hear the plea of State government,” he added.
Fonseca said that the move should have been come much in advance, when the mining dependent people were crying for their survival. He said that the BJP government in Goa and the Congress government at the Center are responsible for the current mining mess and the unstable financial situation of the State.
“Government is making no moves to start mining, rather it has just made tall promises and schemes for the people,” the union leader said adding ‘the financial situation of the State is at bleak’.
Fonseca said that the situation along the mining belt has worsened with people dependent on the activity struggling for survival. “The soaring food prices and inflation with no money in hand has made people to suffer,” he said.
Meanwhile, AITUC has decided to hold month-long struggle against the anti-people polices of BJP govt from September 15, wherein the issues from exploitation of labour class to permissions for new casinos would be highlighted.
