PANJIM: Disturbed over unemployment of nearly 1.5 lakh families and Rs 2,000 crore revenue loss to the State exchequer per year due to closure of mining activities, Goa Governor Satya Pal Malik has this time pitched in to ensure this crisis is solved with the intervention of Central government.
Malik, in his meeting with Home Minister Amit Shah last week, has urged to consider the “formula” of government and stakeholders in Goa to resume mining operations.
“About 1.5 lakh families, dependent on mining are without jobs owing to its shut down. The closure of mining activities has also resulted in huge loss to the government because annually it would fetch Rs 2,000 crore revenue. The good thing is that the Chief Minister of Goa has brought out a formula. I met the Home Minister last week and informed him requesting to consider these for a resolution to the problem,” he said addressing Giant Welfare Foundation’s 45th International Convention at Taleigao Community Hall on Saturday.
As dependence on Tourism has increased after mining shut down, the Governor emphasised that resumption of mining would strengthen Goa’s financial condition. “Tourism alone cannot help. This industry is uncertain. Similarly, high end tourism has dipped, although I won’t debate on this. We have to improve high quality tourism,” he added.
Speaking to the media thereafter, the Governor said he was optimistic that a solution to both Mining and Mhadei issues would be made soon.
“I am for Goan people. I fully support the Goa government and will help wherever the need arises. I am sure the way the chief minister is working and the vision of our leaders in Delhi have, the issues will be resolved,” he said quickly adding, “Other (political) parties are also requested to not politicise the Mhadei and mining issues but stand unanimously to bring a solution in favour of Goa and the Goans.” The Governor also added that stakeholders are in constant touch with the chief minister, all of whom are brainstorming for a solution.
On the ongoing outcry over Mhadei water diversion, Malik, in December 2019, had discussed the matter with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi. Modi had assured Malik that the issue will be resolved shortly.
“There are issues in Goa which disturbs me… from time to time, I am in touch with the CM and also hold meetings with him. He is proactive. The first problem was Mhadei over which, I had met PM,” Malik told the gathering in his 15-odd minute long speech on Saturday.
BJP spokesperson and social worker Shaina N C, who is also the World Chairperson of Giants Welfare Foundation, has assured to come to the rescue of the mining dependents through her NGO.
“We want to make sure that the environment is kept intact and at the same time we understand that the livelihood created by mining is a huge contention. I am sure that the government will come up with a conclusive solution on Mining Policy which takes care of employment and environment,” she said.
“We have a lot of groups working in Goa which are working with the people in need, if there are families who are displaced or not in jobs will be given priority. We will take it as a monumental project,” she told reporters.
Meanwhile, the Governor also took a pot shot at the ‘super-rich’ arguing they don’t spend a paisa on charity but spend Rs 300 crore, in official records, for marriages.
