PANAJI: An online petition has been prepared to seek intervention of the Chief Justice of India, the Prime Minister, the President of India and the Chief Minister of Goa for continuation of mining operations in the state post March 15, 2018.
The move is aimed at protecting the livelihoods of three lakh mining dependants in the state.
The petition has so far been signed by more than 3,500 people.
The movers of the petition have mentioned that the Supreme Court order of February 7, 2018, cancelling mining leases in Goa and bringing mining to a grinding halt from March 16, will deal a severe blow to the lives of three lakh mining dependants in the state.
It has also been mentioned that the SC order will bring the 70-year-old industry to a halt.
While passing its verdict and ordering stoppage of mining from March 16, 2018, the Supreme Court has not considered the repercussions of the order on the lakhs of people who depend on the industry. The mining industry in Goa is the only means of livelihood for nearly 60,000 people (directly and indirectly employed), with a multiplier effect on various sections of the population, the petition has said.
It has been further mentioned that the mining industry has been the backbone of Goan economy for the past seven decades contributing significantly to the economical and societal development of Goa.
The petition has said that shutting down this industry at such a short notice will have far-reaching consequences, which might not have been taken into account by the SC judges while delivering the verdict.
The SC order could be a death blow to mining dependants as their fate now hangs by a thread. What will happen to the families once mining operations shut? There will be no earnings, no food and no education for children. All the good work done to the needy and underprivileged in the mining belts will stop. This will lead to frustration that may result in suicides, alcohol abuse, resorting to criminal activities etc, the petitioners have observed.
The solution to the problem lies in continuing with mining operations post-March 15, 2018 which will provide much-needed solace to the mining dependants, the petitioners have said, urging the authorities to intervene and allow continuation of mining operations in the state till a proper plan is in place for long-term mining activities.
“The reason for making this petition is to ensure that stoppage of a major economic activity in the state should not lead to a humanitarian crisis. The mining industry and the local population in Goa have peacefully coexisted in the state for the past seven decades and any disruption of normal, peaceful fabric of society will be detrimental and have very far-reaching effects which can be catastrophic to the wellbeing of all the mining dependants and the society,” the petition has maintained.
