Team Herald
PORVORIM: Announcing that directions have been issued for resumption of e-auction of the remaining extracted iron ore, Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant on Monday assured the State Legislative Assembly that before the end of ongoing monsoon session, the government will give clarity on the steps it intends to take to recommence the mining industry in the State.
Speaking during Zero Hour, Sawant said that Union Home Minister Amit Shah, last week, chaired a high level meeting with a group of Union Ministers.
“Home Minister has asked the Mines Ministry to revisit the issue and submit report. Second round of meeting is likely to take place this week,” the Chief Minister said adding that the State government has proposed several measures to restart mining activities in the State.
BJP MLA Pravin Zantye, during Zero Hour, had raised concerns over the impending crisis on this industry. He urged the Chief Minister to fast track the matter in a bid to protect the livelihood of people dependent on the industry. Zantye also said the workers are panicking as the services of many are being terminated by the mining firms.
“Central government has been working to ensure that this industry resumes in a legal way. In the meantime, we are e-auctioning the ore which was extracted and lying in the State. The e-auctioning will happen within the next 15-20 days and within six months, the mining of the iron ore dumps will start,” Sawant said.
“By the end of the ongoing session, I will give clear and detailed picture on the steps State intends to take to restart the mining industry,” he stated.
Congress MLA Pratapsingh Rane said that government will have to inform the House the measures it proposes to take and how fast will the mining industry restarted. “It is an issue affecting 40,000 families directly or indirectly. Government need to deal with it seriously,” he stated.
