Team Herald
PANJIM: Ahead of crucial hearing on resumption of iron ore activities scheduled before the Supreme Court on Thursday, the mining dependents have urged the Apex Court to treat Goa mining issue as imperative and provide interim relief.
The mining community of Goa – mining workers, people employed in the logistics industry, barges, ports etc issued a joint statement on Wednesday.
The dependents have also urged for immediate resumption of mining activities in the state in the interest of revival of state economy and protecting livelihoods of mining dependents.
All mining activities in the State came to halt on March 16, 2018 following the Supreme Court’s decision affecting 3,00,000 lives in the State.
“The unprecedented COVID pandemic has further intensified the wounds of Goans as tourism sector, Goa’s biggest revenue and employment generation has also come to a standstill and is unlikely to revive the near future,” they said.
They said that the downturn of tourism sector has further aggravated the crippling economy of the State which was already suffering for more than two years of mining stoppage.
“With State debts standing at an all-time high of Rs 20,000 crore, the burden on the future generations of Goa is already steadily increasing,” they pointed out.
Over the past few months after the COVID19 outbreak, the dependents claimed that State government made several appeals to Centre to recommence mining on immediate basis. However, no decision has been taken till date.
