PANJIM: Minutes after CM Manohar Parrikar told the State cabinet that the solution to the current mining crisis will be worked out by the State, Congress demanded that BJP apologise to the mining dependents, for fooling and playing with their sentiments and emotions for last one year.
Addressing media persons, Opposition Leader Chandrakant Kavlekar questioned why BJP gave vague promises, assurances and deadlines to the mining dependents to restart mining, if it was not in the hands of the Central government.
“For one year, you fooled the dependents. You played with their emotions, sentiments, and livelihood. BJP used them like a football, making them dance here and there,” Kavlekar said. “And after one year, all of sudden you say that not Centre but State will have to work out a solution to the mining crisis? Is this yet another political gimmick?” the Congress leader asked.
Kavlekar also said the government needs to declare its action to restart mining. “Whether it is auction or some other method… government will have to make their stand public,” he stated.
The party has announced their support to the bandh call given by Goa Mining People’s Front (GMPF) on February 26 in the mining belts, demanding resumption of the mining in the State. GMPF has decided to shut down the areas of mining belt comprising of Quepem, Sanguem, Dharbandora, Bicholim areas in protest against government’s failure to resume mining in the State.
Goa Pradesh Congress Committee’s Office bearers’ on Monday also paid tribute to the soldiers martyred in the Pulwama attack and also to the other soldiers who have made supreme sacrifice for the nation recently. It also condoled the passing away of former Deputy Speaker Vishnu Wagh and former Deputy chief minister Francis D’Souza.
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I took up the mining issue with CM as people are asking us and we have no answer. Finally, the conclusion of the discussion was that the solution for the mining crisis has to come from the State.
Vijai Sardesai, TCP Minister
