TEAM HERALD
teamherald@herald-goa.com
PANJIM: A day after Supreme Court accepted the central empowered committee’s (CEC) report on illegal mining in Karnataka; the Goa Congress Friday urged the State government to act in unison with the Union government and present a case defending legal mining.
“The state and central agencies should come together and take into consideration all the stakeholders to adopt unified approach before the Supreme Court,” Congressman Vishwajit Rane told reporters at a media briefing Friday.
He said that flip-flop in the affidavits filed by Goa government before the apex court can prove costly for the mining industry, which is already facing uncertainty over whether or not it will resume operations.
“The State needs to take a cautious stand in view of Supreme Court order on Karnataka and Orissa illegal mining cases. Rather than confronting the Supreme Court or CEC, it should help to start legal mining in Goa,” he suggested.
Vishwajit who comes from the mining belt in Valpoi, said the MLAs should not indulge in a blame-game and instead come together to ensure the matter is not delayed any further.
The Supreme Court which is hearing a PIL filed by Goa Foundation imposed a ban on the mining operations in Goa awaiting report from CEC. Goa and Central governments have already filed the affidavits.
Vishwajit stated the Congress party has always been for legal mining. “If necessary, the State government should file a fresh affidavit before the apex court giving details of the people who were involved in criminal activity of illegal mining…There won’t be any outcome if all indulge in a blame game,” he said.
Speaking on investments in industries, he questioned as to why workers of Goa Auto Accessories Ltd are not paid salaries for two months till date.
