PANJIM: The over six-decade old iron ore mining industry, considered as a bread provider for almost two lakh people in the State, has been shut down once again. The closure of mining activities, which has come within span of five years (September 2012), has triggered panic, frustration and loss of livelihood for the people in the mining belts.
Iron ore production and transportation activities have come to halt as directed by the Supreme Court in its judgment delivered on February 7 in a petition filed by NGO Goa Foundation challenging second renewals of leases. Citing serious irregularities, the Apex Court quashed renewals granted to 88 leases and directed them to stop operations from March 16. The State and Centre have to now initiate a fresh process for granting leases and environment clearances.
As an interim measure, the State government has decided to file a review petition in the Supreme Court seeking its permission for continuation of mining activities in a bid to protect the livelihood of the people dependent on the business. Simultaneously, it will initiate the process for auction of leases as mandated in the MMDR Act and directed by the Court.
On the other hand, mining dependents like truck owners, barge owners, machinery and ancillary activity operators are gearing up for a major protest. The decision on the protest will be taken during the public meetings scheduled at Bicholim, Honda and Sanvordem on March 16 and 17, respectively.
“Mining activities in the State have stopped. All weigh-bridges are closed and no more transportation is possible from mines. From tomorrow (March 16) we will undertake inspection through our teams to ensure thorough compliance of Supreme Court judgment,” Director of Mines and Geology (DMG) Prasanna Acharya said.
Fresh production for the current financial year is around 10.58 million tonnes, while export was around three million tonnes. In all, 37 mining leases were operational for the year, with 10,000 trucks and 100 barges involved in ferrying ore.
This is the second major blow to the industry after the September 2012 ban, which was imposed after Justice M B Shah Commission exposed the Rs 35,000 crore scam in the mining sector. Though the 19-month long ban was lifted in April 2014 the extraction commenced only in November 2015, after a gap of over three years.
“It took nearly four years for the people dependent on the business to get back on track. Even today thousands are without business. This ban is destructive. We see no hope…no future. Everything is just finished. In the last four years, we saw how Goa’s economy collapsed due to no revenue from mining. Now it is going to be worse,” All Goa Truck Owners Association (AGTOA) President Nilkant Gawas said, demanding that if government cannot help them out, than all 40 MLAs should resign.
Gawas fears a possible law and order situation and suicides in the State if the government fails to come to the rescue of the people dependent on the industry.
Mining dependents, realising there is no other way out, have extended support to the auction of leases, but considering it is a lengthy process, demand that the mining activities should continue till then.
“Our entire struggle is for survival…for our livelihood. Mining has been the only business for the people in the mining areas. There is no option. If government wants to go for auction, we have no problem but make sure mining activities don’t stop till then. Let it continue so that we are not left to die of hunger,” All Goa Machinery Owners Association president Sandip Parab said.
The 88 mining leases were spread across talukas of Sattari, Bicholim, Sanguem, Quepem, Sanvordem and Dharbandora. Most of the leases belong to Sesa Goa, V M Salgaocar, Chowgule, Fomento, Sociedade Timblo Irmaos and other minor players.
Government sources confirmed that financial institutions, including banks, have been told to go slow on the recovery front. “Banks have declared us NPA. We are in their defaulters’ list. Hence, if we want to set up an alternative business like shops, stalls, etc, banks will not grant us any loan. We are finished from all fronts. There is not a single ray of hope,” President of South Goa Truck Owners Association Prakash Raut Desai said.
His colleague Cajetan Fernandes recalled how people spent around Rs 1-2 lakh to repair the trucks and make them roadworthy. “But with hardly any business, some were not even able to recover the spending. But still, we had some business which provided us food and education for our kids. Now there is nothing left in hand. We are just helpless,” he said.
The mining dependents have called people in large number to attend the public meetings on Friday and Saturday, which will decided future course of action.
