Team Herald
PANJIM: With the review petition on mining ban before Supreme Court expected to come up for hearing by December 15, the State government on Saturday said sincere efforts are been made to resume iron ore activities in Goa by this year or by early January, 2020.
The statement comes days after Goa Mining People’s Front (GMPF) approached Prime Minister seeking legislative amendment to the Mining Abolition Act in the ongoing Winter Session of the Parliament to ensure mining industry recommences by December end.
Addressing an event on Saturday, Minister for Panchayat Mauvin Godinho said, “Despite government’s best efforts, we are not able to restart mining activities till now. But sincere efforts are been made and I feel it is going to yield results by December-end or early January, 2020 by way of restarting the activities. We have chosen a road map and the mining issue will be resolved”.
He, however, refused to spell out the road map citing that the same may face some hurdle.
“I cannot spell out what is going to be the solution or else there would be series of counter propaganda to stop things from happening” he said.
Mining activities in the State are shut since March 16, 2018.
The government has already filed review petition challenging Supreme Court order dated February 7, 2018 that quashed second renewals granted to 88 iron ore leases.
Meanwhile, Ports Minister Michael Lobo expressed possibility of reduction in taxes for barges, which were involved in transporting iron ore.
He said, “Though, the barges cannot be exempted too from payment of taxes, we will reduce the amount to Rs 1 per tonne, as requested by the operators.”
