HERALD:  The first round of mining delegation to the centre was unsuccessful as nothing was achieved, is this the end of the efforts?

Nilesh Cabral: It is not the failure I am thinking of, at least we have told them (central ministers) that there is a prevailing urgent situation and a decision has to come from the centre. Now they are aware of the situation, and hence we cannot term it as a failure. Now they said, we are with you but we wanted it from Government. Today I have been to the ministers here telling them abou the Government decision.

HERALD: Why you are not for auctioning?

Nilesh: See I am not against auctioning, my thing is clear, let us auction all mines, but how? There are 120 leases which are active out of that 38 are operating and 88 which are in court. Keep 120 leases alive for next 3 – 4 year and start auctioning other mines by an ordinance or legislation at the centre. By that time in this four years period these mines will socio economically support the State. I am not against auctioning. I have another fear, these lease holders may go in court and in the bargain people of the mining belt will lose.

HERALD:  Allegations are levelled that politicians, Ministers and MLAs are favouring the mining lobby.

Nilesh: I don’t care about mining lobby, I don’t care who they are. I have seen the socio economic situation in 2012 and I don’t want it to be repeated. I want the Government to give an assurance as to when they intend to auction. It is a big procedure and it will take 3 – 4 years to start mining after auction. 

HERALD:  What about revenue of the State, don’t you think auctioning will give more revenue?

Nilesh: I don’t care about the revenue of the State, I am only concerned about the socio economic situation. Revenue can come from centre and it can come from any other taxes. My concern is my population of the mining belt. I am not bothered about anybody else, we are elected by the people.