PANJIM: The BJP defended the closure of mining operations
saying it was based on the Justice Shah Commission report pointing to a massive
scam and conceded that former Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar took a ‘good decision’
in suspending mining operations.
“The mining business faced closure because of the Shah
Commission (report) after which the government suspended operations to
streamline the industry. It was good decision by Parrikar,” BJP vice president
Dr Pramod Sawant said on Saturday.
Asked whether the government was successful in its
initiative, Sawant said, “Of course yes. It has been streamlined which is why
we are now seeing emergence of regulated mining, auctioning of ore.”
He went on to say that the BJP-led government came to the
rescue of mining dependents who lost their jobs as a result of the closure. The
Sanquelim MLA, who comes from the mining belt, bragged of loan relief schemes
and financial assistance to the needy. He said, the government has released
crores of rupees under the one-time settlement scheme and will release another
Rs 150 crore to mining dependents by March-end.
The party also slammed North Goa Truck Owners Association
President Nilkant Gawas for accusing it of betraying the truck owners. Sawant
clarified that Gawas was never with the BJP and that Congress has inducted
people into the party with the bait of giving tickets for the coming Assembly
elections.
