Arvind Kejriwal leads a party called the Aam Admi Party, which is ostensibly making massive inroads into the swathe of Salcete. But one begins to wonder if some of his recent utterances are indeed meant for the larger Aam Admi, which hasn’t quite figured the ramifications of at least one of his major promises – of approaching the Supreme Court to raise the annual mining cap.
This flies in the face of what many in Goa are fighting for. The entire battle against illegal mining was to stop the march of fly by night traders who took over the mining business completely. The battle was against rampant uncontrolled mining, with virtually no check on the quantum of ore being exported and the royalty paid. The genesis of the writ petition 435/1 which led to the Supreme Court, laying down the roadmap for controlled sustainable mining which was aimed at re-starting mining, had one specific theme. Mining in Goa needs to be restricted and controlled. A cap of 20 million tons was fixed by the Supreme Court subject to a final recommendation by a committee appointed by the court would do a thorough study.
This expert panel has recommended a highest extraction of 37 million tonne per annum (MTPA) of iron ore in the state and this is subject to a final decision by the apex court. Even this recommendation is not absolute in itself but comes with other provisions. It states, “After reviewing the macro environment impact assessment (EIA) of the enhanced extraction rate by the state, the same may be further enhanced to 37 MTPA as the upper limit predicted by our sustainability model.”
The Committee is absolutely clear that “higher ore extraction rate (37 MTPA) can be sustained over a longer time horizon. Such increase should be gradual and should take in to account the impact of enhanced mining and creation of modern mining and other infrastructure”.
Most significantly, even the thought of such an increase, should be linked to the urgent need to strengthen the depleted Department of Mining and Geology and set right the problem of under-staffing and under-qualified staff.
It is in the light of all this that Arvind Kejriwal’s comments seem shallow and made without any background research or knowledge. While he thought that this would please truck owners and machine owners, does he take into account the broad picture, which caused the apex court to impose controls on Goa’s mining. Goa does not have the carrying capacity to support an increase in the cap even upto 37 million tons. Many villages, in Sanvordem for instance, have suffered due to excessive transportation. This mining traffic has also cost lives. Does Arvind Kejriwal not know that Goa does not have the infrastructure to carry enhanced mining?
The Department of Mines and Geology does not have a mining engineer, a geologist or an accountant, nor does it have a laboratory to determine the grade of ore. These grades are determined in private laboratories by companies which the Mines Department accepts. Mining traders as well as some companies have corrupted the system. And here we have the Convenor of a party which has declared that it is going to win 35 seats, stating that he will move the Supreme Court to get the cap enhanced, when the matter is sub-judice and currently under consideration of the SC after a prolonged ground level exercise has been done.
And this promise has been made by Mr Kejriwal, in isolation, without even considering whether Goa has the capacity to carry this enhancement.
Statements like this give credence to the fact that deadlines are being set and promises are being made, just to play to the gallery. If AAP is hoping to be on the front stage of the 2017 elections and not a mere challenger, it must be prepared to face absolute scrutiny on every statement its leaders make and subject itself to the credibility test of each promise and remark. While the ruling party has been and will be under watch and so will the Congress, the AAP cannot ride on assertions that are not tangible or simply not doable and expect no challenge to come forth.
If AAP says Goa needs an alternative, this has to be qualified. It needs a credible alternative and statements like these from its top leader, reduces its credibility.
