HONDA: Pissurlem locals, heavily reliant on mining for their livelihood, expressed growing concern as the government initiated the process of resuming mining in other areas, while excluding any mining blocks from Pissurlem in the auction.
The Supreme Court’s 2012 ban on mining in the State had led to economic hardship for many families and despite the government renewing licences for 88 mines, they were shut down again in 2018. Now, with the government taking ownership of the mines as per the Apex Court’s orders, locals are worried about their future as mining in their region remains uncertain.
If you enjoyed reading this article, you can help support our journalism by adding OHeraldo as a preferred source.
“There were many mines in Pissurlem and Honda. These mines contain high quality minerals and have great demand from foreign countries. However, the locals are anxious as the government has not taken any steps to auction mines from these two areas. It is necessary for mines to resume in these villages as the majority of the locals are dependent on mining for their bread,” said Pissurlem Sarpanch Devanand Parab.
“As a local representative, people have been asking me about the same. On behalf of the panchayat, I have intimated Health Minister Vishwajit Rane and local MLA Dr Deviya Rane about the same,” he added.
