Team Herald
PANJIM: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday admitted that due to suddenly developed health issue of Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar, there was a delay in working out a solution to the mining crisis in the State following the Supreme Court order.
Addressing the media, BJP State President Vinay Tendulkar said, “We admit that there was a delay in finding a solution to the mining crisis because of the sudden health issues developed by the Chief Minister. On February 14, the Chief Minister had called for the meeting of Members of Parliament and legislators from the mining belt. But on the same day he fell sick.”
He said, “The Chief Minister had started the process to work out a solution to this mining issue. We were unaware about his health condition. Due to which there was a delay.”
Union Minster for AYUSH (Independent Charge) Shripad Naik said, “It was unfortunate that Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar fell sick due to which entire issue remained on the back foot and attempts are now being made to find solution to the crisis.”
The mining dependent people will be holding a mega rally in Panjim on March 19 to register their protest. On the same day in the evening, Gadkari would be arriving in the State on a two-day visit.
Nearly two lakh people are feared to have been rendered jobless after the mining industry came to standstill from March 16 onwards due to the Supreme Court order.
Naik said all the recourses would be discussed with Gadkari, including filing of review petition for which names of three prominent lawyers have been shortlisted.
He said that Gadkari will meet BJP legislators tomorrow (Monday) evening and then hold discussions with the mining stakeholders on Tuesday.
It may be recalled that three MPs from Goa, including Union Minister of State for AYUSH Shripad Naik, met BJP President Amit Shah and Union Ministers Nitin Gadkari (Shipping) and Narendra Singh (Mines) and had urged them to come out with a solution to the mining imbroglio, which the Goan lawmakers claim will impact the livelihood of over a lakh people.
The mining industry had to stop operations from Friday, as per the deadline set by the Supreme Court.
The apex court had last month quashed the second renewal of iron ore mining leases given to 88 companies in Goa in 2015 and had given the miners March 15 deadline to manage their affairs.
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…Calls upon mining dependents to cancel morcha
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday has urged the mining dependent people to cancel their morcha in Panjim scheduled for tomorrow (Monday) and instead put up their demands before Union Minister Nitin Gadkari. The Union Minister will be on a two-day (March 19-20) visit to Goa to hold a detailed discussion with all the ruling MLAs and to listen to the grievances of the mining dependent people with a view to find a possible solution. “I appeal to the people who are dependent on mining industry not to have protest in the city as all attempts are made to provide solution to this problem,” said BJP State President Vinay Tendulkar.
He said, “I urge you to cancel your morcha in Panjim scheduled for tomorrow (Monday) and instead put up your demands before the Union Minister Nitin Gadkari.”Meanwhile, all the mining dependent people have decided to hold a massive rally in the capital city on Monday.
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…Says CM to finalise lawyer to handle review petition in SC
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday informed that Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar would finalise the advocate to handle the review petition to be filed in the Supreme Court related to the mining crisis for which three names suggested by the committee have already been sent for his approval. Addressing the media, BJP State President Vinay Tendulkar said, “The names of three advocates have been sent to Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar of which one will be approved to handle the review petition.” He said all the recourses related to mining would be discussed with Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, including filing of review petition for which the names of three prominent lawyers have been shortlisted.
