VASCO: Stating that the setting up of Goa State Mining Corporation would bring them business, barge owners on Thursday said resumption of mining activities under the corporation would benefit most mining dependents.
Atul Jadhav, head of the Goa Barge Owners’ Association said, “If the mining corporation is formed then it should not deal with the existing 88 mining leases till the time Supreme Court gives its decision in the matter which is sub judice. Besides, these 88 mining leases, there may be others and for them the corporation can take a call.”
Hailing the government’s decision to set up a mining corporation, Chandrakant Gawas, another member of the association said it would benefit the mining dependents. Gawas said, “Forming a mining corporation will benefit the stakeholders. The barge owners will get business through the corporation. Such corporation should have been formed earlier, which will generate employment.”
Another barge owner on the condition of anonymity said, “If the corporation is formed then it will affect the owners of the mining firms who may even approach the court.”
He demanded that mining activities in Goa should resume through the corporation.
“I feel forming a corporation will be better than e-auction as it may involve private players too. If the corporation is formed then we will have government support,” he added.
