Goa mining closure: GMPF plans protest in Delhi from Dec 11

Panaji, November 16

People dependent on the mining sector in Goa will hold a three-day protest at New Delhi’s Jantar Mantar from December 11 to press for its resumption, the Goa Mining People’s Front said on Friday.

The decision was taken after hundreds of such people gathered at Panaji on Friday, said Puti Gaonkar, president of the GMPF.

The mining sector in Goa has come to a standstill after the Supreme Court, in an order in February this year, quashed 88 mining leases and banned the extraction of fresh ore from March.

“We will be pressing for an amendment to the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act 2015 as well as Goa, Daman and Diu Mining Concessions (Abolition and Declaration as Mining Leases) Act, 1987. This will help extend life of Goa mining leases till 2037,” he said.

GMPF leaders on Friday met Goa Forward Party president Vijai Sardesai, Congress Leader of Opposition Chandrakant Kavlekar, Shiv Sena Goa vice-president Rakhi Prabhudesai Naik and AAP Goa president Elvis Gomes for support.

While Sardesai put the onus on resumption of the mining sector on the BJP, as it was in power in Goa as well as at the Centre, Congress leader Kavlekar said an all-party delegation should meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a solution.

The Sena’s Naik said the party was committed to supporting mining dependents who have been left in the lurch due to the ban. PTI