Team Herald

PONDA: Goa Mining People’s Front (GMPF) President Puti Gaonkar on Thursday hailed the decision of the State government to form a mining corporation saying it is a “welcome step”.

He said that the corporation should first help to restore back the jobs of mining dependents, who are suffering for the last many years.

“We the mining dependent people will be facing a disaster if any solutions are implemented which are not practical and mining on ground actually does not start,” he said.

Gaonkar said that the modalities of the corporation are worked out and will be declared fast by the State government with timelines of restoring the lost employment till date at the same time protecting the current employment that has lingered till date.

“Declaring the intentions of mining corporation without the road map to restore or protect employment has no meaning for mining dependent people,” he said.

Gaonkar said that the road map of employment for workers at the mines, truck and barge owners need to be spelt out along with declaration of the intention to form a corporation.

It may recalled that in the past GMPF President on several occasions had suggested safe way to the government i.e to take the Legislative route of amendment to Mining Abolition Act so that the mining leases could be extend till 2037 only because mining activities should not delay due to auction or corporation route. Since surface right of mining leases lies with the mine owners there were chances of land owners approaching the court in case of auction or corporation route leading to the case may pending in the court for several years.

So the GMPF was suggesting the government to extend the leases through Legislative route.

Gaonkar said around three lakh mining dependent are suffering since past many years due to halt of mining activities and they are hoping for their livelihood with restart of mining activities in the State at the earliest.