Team Herald
PANJIM: Health Minister Vishwajit Rane on Saturday said that despite being ill, Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar is working to ensure that iron ore mining operations resume in the State at the earliest.
Parrikar had in September approached Union Mines Minister Narendra Singh Tomar demanding an amendment to the Mines and Minerals (Development Regulation) Act 1957 in a bid to extend the life of leases till 2037.
He had earlier this month met officials and stakeholders to discuss ways and means to ensure the sector restarts. Mining operations in the State have shut since March following the Supreme Court order that quashed second renewals of 88 leases.
Speaking to media persons, Rane said that the Chief Minister is continuously following up the matter with the Centre to ensure that the sector resumes at the earliest and that the livelihood of people dependent on it is protected.
“Despite his illness CM is working on finding solution for immediate resumption of mining,” Rane said.
Frustrated over the delay in restarting iron ore activities, mining dependents have been mounting pressure on the government and have decided to hold a three-day protest at Jantar Mantar, next month.
“See, one has to understand that mining activities are stopped as per the Supreme Court order and government has no role in it. We have to respect the Supreme Court order. Despite that, to protect the interests of the dependents, Central government is working out a solution within the legal framework, leaving no scope for it to be challenged,” Rane said.
He said that mining activities have to resume and the Centre will have to go to any extent to protect the interests of the people dependent on mining.
