Goa has been blessed with rich mineral wealth in addition to its natural beauty. Goa presently fits into the old adage “Rich Land and poor people’. The only reason being the avarice and greed of some people coupled with governmental deep rooted corruption. Goa though is not an exception to this, other mineral rich states in India also suffer the same malady and the end result is 40% of all Below Poverty line people live in these states . Mining in India it is estimated to have displaced close to two million people.
The recent Supreme Court decision, has opened a new vista and new opportunity to the people of Goa to reverse this situation at least from now. Traditionally mining in Goa has benefitted a few rich families, who do employee a number of people, thus providing them their livelihood, But government laxity and extreme corruption has not only brought in many unscrupulous business men and those looking for a quick and easy profit from across the country to Goa, unfortunately even the traditional Goan miners have joined in the fray to profit from the situation, leaving Goa on the brink of an economic collapse and an environmental disaster . In addition to large scale environmental degradation, the government failure to at lease levy the government dues from these miners and transporters have added ‘oil to the fire’ of the looting of Goa.
The way in which the government in power has handled the situation and the various political gimmicks they, in consonance with the miners have played is all but clear in the recent Supreme Court judgment. Even the members of the opposition cannot claim innocence as they were all part of this game of ‘loot and loot’ Goa. It is but amply evident that none of the politician irrespective of their party affiliation is genuinely concerned about Goa, their concern is primarily to protect the interest of the ‘big wig’ miners, by which they are sure to protect their own personal and private interests.
Now with this verdict, the blame game is sure to start, the government will ensure that the NGOs and the opposition are blamed for all the ills of the State and the opposition in turn will direct their guns at the Party in Power though they are also accomplice in this crime. The common people, the mine affected people and people whose daily existence depends on the resumption of mining operation, will have to remain mute spectators to this high powered and dubious political game.
It’s high time and this is the last chance to resurrect Goa from the clutches of their dubious designs and ensure that Goa charts, a new course of action to protect, the interests of its common people and the environment .
The one viable alternative is to nationalize all the mining operations in Goa. All the private players should be totally barred from mining and any operation ancillary to mining. This way it could be ensured whatever profit is earned remains in the public domain for the good of the public. But the biggest dangers in any democratic government especially like the ones we have in India taking up such operations are CORRUPTION, INEFFICIENCY AND INCOMPETENCE. Even the most profitable mining operations , through which private players were able to earn huge profits, despite the payment of bribes, and government levies, will become a loss making enterprise at the hands of the government . Government taking up mining may be a greater evils than allowing the private operators to do so.
A viable alternate would be to create a statutory corporation to undertake mining operation, run by professionals, where efficiency and profit earning could be the buzz word. Any corporation of that nature need not have to go very far to get professional expertise and suitable and adequate man power. They are all readily available with the existing mining companies in Goa. All that is required will be to transfer their services to the corporation through a suitable arrangement. Likewise all the ancillary activities including storing transport etc can be done by such corporation by suitable arrangements. The most apparent and immediate benefit will be that mining affected persons will get employments, profiteering will disappear, and the profits will enrich the State and its people.
By this process ‘the fly by night’ mining operators will just disappear from the scene, so also all those traders from outside the State who have come in, allured by the prospects of huge profits. Goa’s traditional mining companies having earned huge profits over the decades could ‘hang their boots up’ and take up good Samaritan roles to help this ailing State to recover, financially and environmentally after all, they did earn and benefit during all these years.
All the ancillary services could be carried out by local people’s cooperatives promoting the concept of owning and earning their own business/trade. Of course they need to function under a strict monitoring systems otherwise unscrupulous elements are there everywhere to cheat and manipulate. All the existing equipment’s and vehicles etc could be transferred to such a corporation or cooperative society at book costs. People in the mining areas cannot be left only to bear the costs they must be made partners in sharing the benefits of mining activities. A fair and substantial share must go to the local communities, not just for their present benefit, but also for future security.
The social and political implications of mining assumes far reaching implications The universal principle of natural resource ownership by the people needs to be followed. Benefit sharing should be an inclusive process- people affected must have a say about how and where they need to be benefitted. As a people’s representative government the first concern should be for the people and not for the mining business leaders in any action they take.
This is a golden opportunity for the present government to transfer and utilize the natural wealth of Goa and its people. If the government fails the people, in favour of the few rich miners posterity, will record their conduct as against the State and the people of Goa.
(The writer is a Professor of Law, & Former Dean, Faculty of Law, Goa University.)
