Goa government cannot solve mining crisis: CM

30th july 2018

An amendment to the Goa Daman and Diu Mining Concessions (abolition and Declaration of Mining Leases) Act 1987 is the only option for resumption of iron ore mining activities in the State, Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar told the State Legislative Assembly on Thursday.

The House on August 3 will debate on the resolution to urge the Central government to amend the Goa Mining Concessions Act in Parliament.

Replying on the demands for grants on mining, the Chief Minister said that the mining ban has come into force due to the Supreme Court order and that Goa government cannot solve the crisis. “The only solution I can see today is what (BJP Curchorem MLA) Nilesh Cabral has proposed and that is the amendment to the Goa Mining Concession Act,” Parrikar told the House.

“We would have to ask for change in the date it (Act) came into effect from,” he said adding, “I want to hear the views of all the MLAs on this during the discussion on the resolution.”

Cabral proposed that the Centre amend the Goa Daman and Diu Mining Concessions (Abolition and Declaration of Mining Leases) Act 1987 so as to make it ‘effective from May 23, 1987 when the Act was enacted rather than retrospective December 20, 1961 in order to save livelihood of the 3 lakh mining dependents.’

The Chief Minister informed the House that he would go to Delhi after the monsoon session and place the proposal before the Central government for necessary action. “I will make the request. Congress Party at the Centre will also have to support the amendment,” he said.

Responding to a quick question, Parrikar said that from 2007-2011 there was complete loot in the mining sector and that he knows who has taken how much from whom to give a lease.

Source: GOA.COM