Panaji, Aug 21 (IANS): If mining operations do not resume soon in Goa, there may be suicides in the state's mining belt, Leader of Opposition Pratapsing Rane said Thursday.
"If we are not able to resolve the issue, we may have to face suicides because the situation is very bad," the Congress leader told the legislative assembly.
Mining was banned by the Supreme Court in September 2013 following a Rs.35,000 crore illegal mining scam in which politicians, bureaucrats and mining magnates were linked.
While the apex court lifted the ban in April, mining operations will start only after the state government formulates a suitable mining policy, which will be subject to judicial review.
The ban has affected various industries connected to the mining sector and has rendered several thousands of people jobless.