PANJIM: Stating that reluctance on the part of mine owners and the transporters has led to a delay in a full-fledged start to mining operations, Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar said he expects mining operations to pick up post the monsoon.
“It is more of a mentality factor that has delayed mining resumption in full swing. Only Sesa Vedanta has begun operations as of now,” Parsekar said on Saturday during an interaction with the media ahead of his 60th birthday celebrations on July 5.
Speaking further, he said, there is apprehension amongst mine owners with regard to global prices. “The global market prices have fallen and they are not sure whether it would be profitable or not. Similarly truck owners are also down after the ban which has resulted in heavy loans,” he said.
However, Parsekar added, “I have had meetings with the mine owners and I and confident mining will begin full-fledged after the monsoon.”
To a query on the Apex Court’s directions to cap exports at 20 million tonnes, he said, the mining industry has to support the government in this regard.
“I think there have to be separate mining corridors for this to be done. For this, the government needs support from the mining industry, they can build their own roads as they have the equipment and it would be cheaper. If this is done then maybe we can approach the Apex Court to seek an increase in mining extraction cap from 20 to 25 or maybe 30 million tonnes.”
Taking an indirect dig at former governments, he said gone are the days when government used to frame rules favourable to the mining industry. “Rules were framed favouring mining industry and people were left to suffer due to pollution and fatal accidents,” he said.
Parsekar also said the government is planning to promote the State as a high-profile wedding destination and convention centre along with event and wellness-medical tourism promotion.
“Of late a large number of high-end weddings have been taking place besides the high-profile BRICS summit is also planned in Goa,” he said. He pointed out that Goa, already a permanent venue of the International Film Festival of India, is fast turning into an entertainment and event hub.
