CURCHOREM: Various associations associated with mining activities in the State have urged Goa delegation which will meet the Central ministers to impress on the Central government to find a way and continue the mining activities in State.
The appeal was made during a joint press conference of All Goa Truck Owners Association (AGTOA), South and North Goa Truck Owners Associations, and All Goa Machines Owners Association was held at South Goa Truck Owners Association office, Curchorem on Saturday.
Briefing the media AGTOA President Nilkant Gauns urged the people of Goa to support them as mining is the back bone of the State. “The mining dependent people suffered greatly during the mining ban period from 2012 to 2015 and what will happens if it stops once again,” Gauns said and informed that if one goes as per law and Supreme Court order, they feel that mining will not start for next five years.
Welcoming the decision taken by the elected MLAs to send an all party delegation to meet the central ministers, Gauns urged the members to be serious and put more efforts to convince the Central government to find a way and continue the mining activities in the State without halting it any further as nearly 80 percent of Goans directly and indirectly depend on it including some outsiders.
“Although we do not have much knowledge of law, but we urge the delegation to convince the Central government to issue ordinance as per 1987 Act on the lines of ordinance issued by the Tamil Nadu government regarding Jalkattu sports,” said Satyawan Gaonkar, secretary SGTOA.
Reminding that State progressed because of the mining, President of All Goa Machine Owners Association Sandeep Parab warned Goa Foundation and those “who are trying to bring hurdles in commencing the mining.”
“If they try to bring any hurdle to the government’s efforts to find a way for continue mining, the mining dependants would lead a morcha to their houses,” he threatened.
“If tourists stop coming to Goa, tourism will die and therefore tourism is not the back bone of Goa but mining is,” Parab said and urged the delegation to present the case properly before the authorities concerned.
