BICHOLIM: Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar’s visit to Mayem to campaign for the forthcoming Zilla Panchayat polls took an unusual turn on Friday, when about 200 mining-dependent people confronted him and protested about the prolonged suspension in mining activity.
The chief minister then assured the agitating people that mining companies would get the required EC certificates within the next few days.
Parsekar was attending a corner meeting at Mayem when he was confronted by the people, who questioned him about promises made by the BJP.
They also sought to know why mining was not resumed in the state even after nearly three years.
Parsekar then tried to pacify the public, who chanted slogans in support of mining activities.
Speaking on the occasion, Parsekar said the BJP was painfully aware of the hardships caused to those people adversely affected by a suspension in mining activity.
“Governance is a continuous process and even if the Congress government was responsible for the mining problem, we cannot shy away from the issue. BJP has the responsibility and will solve mining problem,” he assured the protesting people.
“People don’t have to wait for years or weeks, but within next few days we will get the EC clearances and mining will resume in the state. Mining is the lifeline of the state and despite a financial crunch, we have continued with our schemes for the benefit of the people and assure that they will not be stopped,” he said.
Parsekar then came down heavily on some leaders and Congress party who are trying to misguide the people and spread rumours.
“After BJP came to power, the ban on mining was removed, 86 leases were renewed and several beneficial schemes for the mining dependents were introduced. All this was done only because the government is sensitive towards the problems of the common people,” said the chief minister.
Goa BJP observer Rupala, Deputy Speaker Anant Shet and Mayem ZP candidate Shankar Chodankar also spoke on the occasion. After the meeting, the mining-dependent people submitted a memorandum to the chief minister.
