TEAM HERALD
PANJIM: MLAs are set to individually ‘take classes’ from mining experts, as government readies to table the mining policy on Monday. Given that as the Goa Assembly goes into its last week of the 21-day long monsoon session, Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar literally holding his cards close to his chest, will give the legislators the Mining Policy papers on Monday morning.
After the Speaker Rajendra Arlekar reserved August 18 as the day for a ‘discussion for short duration on mining issues’ some ruling MLAs requested the government to reserve one day of the current session to discuss the mining policy.
But though Parrikar, who will table the guidelines for legislators’ reference for their views and suggestions, consented to share some details of the policy during a discussion on demands for grants on mining, he flatly refused MLAs’ request to circulate the policy documents in advance.
“I have kept it (draft mining policy) close to my chest,” he told the MLAs on the floor of the House, gesticulating by crossing both hands over his chest.
Parrikar, who holds the mines portfolio, announced to start mining operations by October this year and to notify the policy by September 15.
“On August 18 morning, I will circulate the policy guidelines papers to the legislators so that they can study it before discussion. After giving their opinion, a final draft will be ready and the exercise to notify it will begin by August-end. The exercise to form the policy will be complete by October only after that we will be able to give the mining leases,” he said.
It now seems that on Monday, when three demands for grants – Labour, Employment and Fisheries has been scheduled for discussion, barely any legislator will speak on these, as their only focus will be mining. Sources say that many of them have even roped-in experts from this field to help them understand the draft policy to make strong points in the House. Mining, barge and mining-related individuals will definitely occupy the visitors’ galleries that otherwise are nearly vacant during evening sessions.
