PM, GoM assure Parrikar of solution to mining imbroglio

NT NETWORK

PANAJI

Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar on Tuesday met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Group of Ministers (GoM) headed by Union Minister for Shipping Nitin Gadkari in New Delhi and discussed the mining matter to find a solution through legal means for early resumption of mining activity in the state.

A delegation comprising Parrikar, Union Minister for Ayush and North Goa MP Shripad Naik, South Goa MP Narendra Sawaikar and Rajya Sabha MP Vinay Tendulkar first met the Prime Minister and presented a copy of resolution passed by the Goa legislative assembly for resumption of mining.

The Prime Minister gave a patient hearing to them and assured to look into the issue. He further directed them to meet the GoM (Group of Ministers).

Parrikar said that the delegation has deliberated on steps to be taken to ensure early resumption of mining in Goa, in the meeting with Group of Ministers comprising of Union Minister for Shipping Gadkari, Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad and Union Mines Minister Narendra Singh Tomar.

Speaking to ‘The Navhind Times’, Sawaikar said that the delegation had a positive meeting with the Group of Ministers, which is working to find a solution for early resumption of mining in Goa.

The Chief Minister briefed the Group of Ministers on historical evolution of mining in Goa and the economic and social impact of its closure as a consequence of the recent

Supreme Court judgment.

The meeting was also attended by secretaries of the concerned ministries and Chief Executive Officer of NITI Ayog Amitabh Kant.

The Chief Minister made a detailed presentation about the Goa mining scenario to the GoM during the meeting. He further communicated the wishes of the people of Goa as reflected in the unanimous resolution passed by the Goa legislative assembly for early resumption of mining.

Sawaikar said that the meeting proceeded on a positive note and a discussion was held to find a solution through legal means. “This, of course, would require meetings with all the concerned ministries. But it can be said and concluded from today’s meetings that a solution will definitely follow,” he added.

The state legislative assembly on August 3 had unanimously passed a resolution urging the Union government to suitably amend the Goa, Daman and Diu Mining Concessions (Abolition and Declaration as Mining Leases) Act, 1987 so that the iron ore industry resumes in the state.

Meanwhile, the Chief Minister also discussed with the Prime Minister various ongoing developmental works in the state. He

also called on Union Minister for Home Affairs Rajnath Singh and Union Minister for External Affairs Sushma Swaraj and exchanged views on various issues including issues pertaining to the state.