BICHOLIM: Town and Country Planning Minister Vijai Sardesai on Thursday called upon the government to come up with an ordinance to restart mining in the State. The minister also warned the mining companies against retrenching the workers.
The minister was speaking at a foundation stone laying function at Kelbai Devasthan Mandap at Mayem in Bicholim. Mayem MLA Pravin Zantye, ex-speaker Anant Shet, Santoshkumar Sawant and others were also present for the function.
Further, Vijai said that the government is serious on the issue of mining. “I personally feel that the government should come up with an ordinance to restart mining in the State as many of them are dependent upon mining” he said.
Vijai acknowledged that closure of mining was a major blow to the villages that are dependent on mining. “We cannot ignore the difficulties of the villages that are dependent on mining and the government can’t be blind to such situation,” Vijai said adding, “We strongly feel that mining should restart and it should be a sustainable mining in the State.”
He said that agriculture in the State could be revived but there was also a need for mining in the State for revenue generation in the villages and the State. He came down heavily on the mining companies that are retrenching the workers.
“The companies cannot retrench the workers to put pressure on the government as it is not the government that has stopped mining. Our government also wants that mining should be restarted,” he said adding, “After reaping benefits of mining for so many years, the companies cannot layoff the workers. If this happens, then, the government would have to think over the situation and should not allow such companies to take any more benefits of mining in the future.”
“When all the doors are closed, what is the option for the legislature? The option is the Ordinance?” Sardesai stressed.
