BICHOLIM: As the news of the Central government rejecting the pleas of the miners, for an Ordinance for resuming mining, spread across the mining belt, there was panic in the mining talukas, where people expressed anger on the ministers.
Now, around 500-odd mining dependents have decided to meet the Sanquelim MLA and Speaker, Dr Pramod Sawant, on Friday at his residence to enquire about the present scenario.
Bicholim Truck Owners Association General Secretary Subhash Kinalkar told Herald that they have lost all faith on the ministers and the government. “We were hoping that the three MPs and the State government would resolve the mining issue, but they have totally failed us,” Kinalkar said.
Kinalkar said that the mining dependants have lost confidence in the government that it would find a way to restart mining.
Environmentalist Ramesh Gawas stated that the ministers have only fooled the mining dependents. “This is not a surprise. We knew that it would happen. They have stated that mining is a State issue and so the State government should resolve it. All those ministers who promised to come out with an ordinance have only fooled the people,” Gawas said.
He demanded that government set up a corporation and resume mining in the State. “The workers should take over the mining and give the ore to the State government to export it; this is the best policy. The mining lobby should be totally stopped and mining should be given to the people. Locals should be given preference and mining should be started,” Gawas said.
The Supreme Court had in February this year quashed the state government’s 2015 order granting ‘second renewal’ of 88 iron ore mining leases in the State.
The apex court had also directed to stop all mining operations, with effect from March 16, on the ground that the second renewal was given to those mines in violation of its previous directions.
It also said that the order would prevail until fresh mining leases are granted and fresh environmental clearances are given.
