SURAJ NANDREKAR
suraj@herald-goa.com
PANJIM: The Supreme Court decision to cancel all renewals of mining leases has come as a rude shock to Goan politicians, especially those from mining areas.
BJP’s Curchorem MLA Nilesh Cabral, representing a section of the mining belt, claimed the judgement would have a huge impact on the State. “In my constituency where there are many mining dependents and the order will have an adverse effect. In principle, the decision is going to hamper Goa’s development, although it is not related to tourism directly, but it revolves around the economy,” he said urging the government to challenge the order in a higher bench.
Conceding that he is yet to refer to the judgment, Cabral brought to the fore that mining had partially resumed and that even after renewal of a few mining leases global recession has hit the industry.
“Mining industry has been unable to sell ore and this order will prompt mine owners to close the mines,” he said.
He urged that the deadline be extended till 2027. “I feel Supreme Court has to re-look at it and view that extension period at least till 2027 so that everything falls in place,” he added.
Sanvordem MLA Deepak Pawaskar too claimed it would have a major impact on his constituency. “If the Supreme Court decision is enforced the entire constituency will face an impact. Truck owners, workers, businesses everyone,” he said.
Pawaskar said he would speak to reopen the umbrella scheme for truck owners which gave them security of Rs 8000 per month. “If SC order is enforced I don’t see mining resuming for next three years and we have to do something otherwise it would be a bad situation,” he said.
Bicholim MLA Rajesh Patnekar says bad days for mining dependents are here again. “It will be a repeat of what people faced from 2012 to 2016 and it is going to be even worse.”
Health Minister and Valpoi MLA Vishwajit Rane said the decision has come as a shock. “I represent the mining belt and we are very concerned. We will examine the matter legally and make a way forward. Sattari and Usgao are mining areas and it is a matter of great concern and I’m worried about the people,” Rane said. He stated that he needs some time to read the order.
Speaker Dr Pramod Sawant, who is also Sanquelim MLA said his constituency will certainly suffer due to the decision. “My constituency is going to suffer as all seven panchayats in the constituency are mining dependent. More than 80 percent of the population in these villages is dependent on mining either directly or in related business,” he said.
He added, “I have spoken to the Chief Minister and requested that we should intervene in the matter at the earliest so that mining activities resume smoothly. As far as grant of leases is concerned, the last allocation of leases would have been in the interest of the people and therefore one cannot go by the rule book completely,” he says.
Tourism Minister and Pernem MLA Manohar Azgaonkar declined to comment only stating that the order is “hurting”.
