Team Herald
PANJIM: As the Supreme Court is on vacation, the review petition in the iron ore lease renewal matter would be filed after June 6, when the Apex court opens, PWD Minister Ramakrishna (Sudin) Dhavalikar said on Monday.
Former Independent MLA from Bicholim, Naresh Sawal, along with several mining dependents met Dhavalikar, a member of Cabinet Advisory Committee (CAC) on Monday, demanding an immediate solution to the mining crisis. The dependents also sought financial support from the government to meet their livelihood needs.
Speaking to media persons after the meeting, Dhavalikar said he informed the mining dependents that the government is helpless till June 6 as the Supreme Court is on vacation. “The court will open on June 6. We are ready with the review petition and the same would be filed immediately thereafter,” he said.
“We are confident that the issue would be solved through the court,” the Minister stated.
Dhavalikar also said that the government is awaiting the advice of Attorney General of India, to whom the draft review petition has been forwarded for approval and submission.
Earlier this month, the government had forwarded the petition to Attorney General KK Venugopal for approval, following the go ahead from Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar.
As reported earlier, the government in its review petition will seek an amendment to the February 7 order to allow mining activities to continue in the State till finalisation of the auction process.
Sawal expressed his displeasure at the manner in which the mining issue has been handled by the State. “Government failed to give immediate respite to the people, who are suffering. In absence of Chief Minister, decision making has been delayed,” Sawal said.
He demanded that the government immediately work out a solution to ensure that mining industry restarts.
