It’s either February 13 or never for resuming mining, says Cabral
Gauree Malkarnekar | TNN | Feb 5, 2019, 06:20 IST
RAISING VOICES: A file photo of a protest by mining dependants last year. Cabral said he will do his best to c... Read MorePANAJI: If the process to resolve the mining issue in Goa is not set into motion by February 13, it never will be, BJP legislator from Curchorem and power minister Nilesh Cabral said on Monday. Cabral added that the state government “has to be serious with the central government and should find a solution to see that the people of Goa are benefited”.
“It is my feeling that before February 13, the process to resolve the issue should begin. If this process doesn’t start then it never will. I am making such a statement for the first time. It is not because the state government has to benefit. State government can always find other means to earn revenue. But if people don’t get their salaries, where will they go? This is a major issue. The central government has to come up with a solution,” said Cabral.
Disagree that BJP MPs not doing enough, says Cabral
He was reacting to statements by mining dependants led by Puti Gaonkar that they will work against the BJP at the upcoming Lok Sabha polls if mining does not resume in the state by February 13. This date is also the last working day of the Parliament.
Cabral said that he agrees with Gaonkar and will do his best to canvass for the BJP for the Lok Sabha polls, but added that he cannot ensure people will vote for the party. “The decision is theirs. We will continue to work as party people, as ministers and MLAs. Of course my vote will go to the BJP, but I cannot ensure about the others. We will try to change people’s minds,” Cabral said.
However, he disagree with Gaonkar’s statement that BJP MPs are not doing enough for the resumption of mining. “Whatever Gaonkar said, he is talking on behalf of all the people in the rural mining belt who are suffering due to mining operations being shut. MPs have tried everything possible at their level,” said the power minister.
He said the government realises the seriousness of the issue. “Whatever Gaonkar and the others have said, my government knows—if this issue is not resolved, people of that belt will not stand with us. The people will do whatever they are saying,” Cabral said.
In September 2018, Nilesh Cabral was inducted into the Manohar Parrikar-cabinet, replacing ailing power minister Pandurang Madkaikar.
“It is my feeling that before February 13, the process to resolve the issue should begin. If this process doesn’t start then it never will. I am making such a statement for the first time. It is not because the state government has to benefit. State government can always find other means to earn revenue. But if people don’t get their salaries, where will they go? This is a major issue. The central government has to come up with a solution,” said Cabral.
Disagree that BJP MPs not doing enough, says Cabral
He was reacting to statements by mining dependants led by Puti Gaonkar that they will work against the BJP at the upcoming Lok Sabha polls if mining does not resume in the state by February 13. This date is also the last working day of the Parliament.
Cabral said that he agrees with Gaonkar and will do his best to canvass for the BJP for the Lok Sabha polls, but added that he cannot ensure people will vote for the party. “The decision is theirs. We will continue to work as party people, as ministers and MLAs. Of course my vote will go to the BJP, but I cannot ensure about the others. We will try to change people’s minds,” Cabral said.
However, he disagree with Gaonkar’s statement that BJP MPs are not doing enough for the resumption of mining. “Whatever Gaonkar said, he is talking on behalf of all the people in the rural mining belt who are suffering due to mining operations being shut. MPs have tried everything possible at their level,” said the power minister.
He said the government realises the seriousness of the issue. “Whatever Gaonkar and the others have said, my government knows—if this issue is not resolved, people of that belt will not stand with us. The people will do whatever they are saying,” Cabral said.
In September 2018, Nilesh Cabral was inducted into the Manohar Parrikar-cabinet, replacing ailing power minister Pandurang Madkaikar.
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