Ruling MLAs genuflect before Guv, after ‘mining’ delegation sent back by Centre

Team Herald

PANJIM: After a Goa “mining delegation” was rebuffed, admonished and literally sent packing by the Centre for not even getting the protocol and process for approaching the Centre (not to stop mining on March 16), smarting MLAs led by PWD Minister Ramkrishna (Sudin) Dhavalikar, went to literally genuflect before Governor Mridula Sinha, asking for her intervention to approach the Centre, to somehow keep alive the working of mining leases.

This act is not only astonishing but it baffles that elected MLAs are actually knocking on the doors of key institutions to allow mining leases whose functioning is illegal as per the Apex court, to defy the very court and keep functioning.

The ruling MLAs marched to Raj Bhavan without even a cabinet decision in hand to approach the Centre, to do the unthinkable – keep a Supreme Court decision on hold. A cabinet decision is unlikely, even by circulation, till Chief Minister Parrikar’s doctors in the US allow him to resume work electronically.

Guv Sinha, then asked the ruling MLAs to approach the newly-formed Cabinet Advisory Committee of three ministers, and ask them to write to her. She would then “forward” the letter to the Centre. Doubts were raised about this route since the CAC does not have the powers of the cabinet and the Centre wants a cabinet decision to even look at Goa’s case.

And yes. She did perhaps say what was inevitable. “The man who could have solved this problem is not in Goa today” (referring to CM Parrikar)”

The delegation, led by PWD Minister and MGP MLA Sudin Dhavalikar included Vijai Sardesai (Goa Forward Party) and BJP MLAs Vishwajit Rane, Pramod Sawant, Nilesh Cabral, and MLAs Deepak Pauskar (MGP) and Prasad Gaonkar (Independent).

Dhavalikar told reporters that the Governor was requested to seek the intervention of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to save the mining industry from facing closure. “We discussed the social issues which might arise if mining is stopped. We have given her a detailed briefing,” Dhavalikar said outside the Raj Bhavan after meeting the Governor.

“We want help from the Centre on the issue. At this stage we will not take any stand till the Prime Minister’s Office responds,” he said.

Speaking on the Congress members who abstained from being part of the delegation, Dhavalikar said the Opposition party should keep political differences aside. “We are worried about the closure of mining. Our future action will depend on the Governor’s decision,” he said.

Questioned about the ordinance demanded by a member, to keep mining operations alive he said; “Right now we cannot talk about the ordinance. At this time it is not right to do it, Supreme Court’s clear order is there.”

But it is this very order which is sought to being defied, by praying for the same mining eases, whose renewals have been quashed to continue mining when no further mining operations can continue on those leases.

+++