Mining ban: All-party panel likely to meet PM today

Panaji: An all-party delegation, led by PWD minister Ramkrishna ‘Sudin’ Dhavalikar, is likely to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other Union ministers on Monday to request the Centre to bring a law to help continue mining operations in the state post-March 15.
Last month, the Supreme Court quashed the renewal of 88 mining leases and directed the state government to stop iron ore mining operations from March 15.

Speaking to TOI, speaker Pramod Sawant said the Goa delegation has got an appointment with Union minister Nitin Gadkari.

“As of now we don’t have a confirmation from the Prime Minister’s Office about an appointment but we are hopeful of meeting the PM on Monday,” Sawant said.

The delegation was to meet Union mines minister Narendra Tomar, but he is out of station.

Leader of the opposition Chandrakant ‘Babu’ Kavlekar and Tivim MLA Nilkant Halarnkar are part of the delegation. Curtorim MLA Aleixio Reginaldo Lourenco had expressed reservation over sending an all-party delegation, the Congress legislative party (CLP) on Sunday resolved to support the government’s initiative.

Former chief minister Pratapsingh Rane said around 60,000 people directly depend on mining, while more than a lakh are indirectly dependant. “It will lead to unemployment and the interests of the mining dependants who are engaged in small ancillary jobs, as well as those working in the industry, have to be protected,” Rane said.

He said people who are not from the mining belt make statements without knowing the reality. “I know how the common man from the belt will suffer if mining is shut. We want the operations to continue with the Centre’s intervention,” he said adding that he wanted to join the delegation, but couldn’t do so as he is down with a cold.

Goa Forward party president and TCP minister Vijai Sardesai and South Goa MP Narendra Sawaikar left late Sunday evening for Delhi to be part of the delegation.

Sources said the state government will request the Union government to bring out an ordinance to the Goa, Daman and Diu Mining Concession (Abolition and Declaration as Mining Leases) Act, 1987, so that the leases can continue to operate after March 15.