Panaji, June 22 (PTI): A leading mining workers union here has demanded resumption of mining activities in Goa to save the jobs of people employed on various mining leases.
“Some of the mine owners have decided to terminate the services of permanent workers as they feel that the mining operation will not resume in the near future,” United Mine Workers Union General Secretary Puti Gaonkar said in a letter to Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar.
The Supreme Court in its recent verdict has allowed mining in the state, while Parrikar-led government is in the process of formulating the policy to regulate iron ore extraction activity, which is one of the biggest revenue earner for the state.
Gaonkar said that one third of Goa’s population is totally dependent on the mining industry. “SC has vacated the stay and held that all the powers of commencement of mining operation are with the State Government,” he pointed out.
“During the Lok Sabha election, you have promised the people of Goa that if BJP government comes to power at Centre, Goa Government will commence the mining operation in two months, now two months are going to end and no positive steps are taken to resume the mining industry,” the letter read.
Parrikar had recently said that his government will be formulating a mining policy this month, which would be implemented in consultation with the union government for resumption of the mining industry in the state.