Team Herald
PANJIM: The Goa Mining People’s Front (GMPF) has petitioned the President of India Ram Nath Kovind seeking immediate resumption to mining activities in the State by issuing an ordinance to amend the Goa Daman and Diu Mining Concessions Act.
The organisation claims that over three lakh mining dependents are affected due to the shutting down of mining from February; it has also cited how the Supreme Court’s order would have a huge impact on the future of the country, globally.
“(There would be) adverse impact on the economy of the State, as the employment opportunities to a large section of the society would dry up resulting in widespread resentment and panic among the general public. In addition to the same, there would be financial impact as lenders may not be able to recover the loan amounts which have been advanced to various entities/individuals for purchase of mining machinery/trucks/barges as their earning potential would be reduced greatly thereby increasing the non performing assets of financial institutions,” the seven page representation letter to the President read as.
The GMPF also stated that the SC’s order that led to abrupt stoppage of the mining activity would also lose an investor’s confidence in the country.
“At the time when our country is striving to attract global investments in the economy to boost growth and job rate, the stoppage shall act as red flag to investors,” it added.
The association, represented by different stakeholders from the mining industry, claimed that 35 civic bodies have supported immediate resumption of the mining activity in the interest of the Goan public who are dependent on this industry for their livelihood. As such, the GMPF has urged the President to issue an ordinance to amend Section 2 of the Goa Daman and Diu Mining Concessions (abolition and Declaration of Mining Leases) Act 1987 ‘making effective from May 23, 1987 when the Act was enacted rather than retrospective December 20, 1961 in order to save livelihood of the 3 lakh mining dependents.’
