Goa, August 11: The Goa Mining People’s Front (GMPF) said that mining dependents in Goa have appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his intervention to protect livelihood in the state by resuming mining operations there.
“Over 50,000 mining dependents, including Goa Mining People’s Front, Barge Owners Association and Truck Operators Association have submitted their appeal through a ‘Signature Campaign’ to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his immediate intervention to protect livelihoods in the state by resuming mining operations in Goa,” GMPF said in a statement.
The mining dependents in their appeal sought required directives from the Prime Minister to the policy makers to restore the livelihood of people who are directly and indirectly dependent on mining for their survival.
GMPF President Puti Gaonkar said, “We request the Prime Minister to consider the appeals made by the Governor and Chief Minister of Goa to safeguard our livelihoods.”
He added that over 50,000 mining dependents recently submitted an appeal to the office of prime minister through a ‘signature campaign’ and “the same is sent to Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant for further action”.
The Goa Mining People’s Front (GMPF) is an umbrella body of mining dependents in the state.
The current impasse of mining stoppage, coupled with COVID-19-induced challenges, has further exacerbated the situation for Goans with high-looming uncertainties about livelihood recovery, Gaonkar said.
The GMPF president also said, “Due to social distancing norms, we have kept our door-to-door campaign on hold along with corner meetings but if we don’t get immediate relief from the government and concerned authorities, we will be forced to agitate for our survival.”
Balaji Gauns, vice-president of GMPF and president of Dharbandora Taluka Truck Owners Association, said, “We are also troubled with continuous postponement of allotted hearing dates and issuance of new ones by the courts without any conclusive decisions being made.”
He added that the immediate resumption of the Goa mining industry is very crucial to restore the state economy in order to save the livelihood of more than three lakh people who are directly and indirectly dependent on mining for survival.
In March 2018, all mining operations in the state were stopped following a decision by the Supreme Court to quash the renewal of 88 mining leases, affecting over 3 lakh lives in the State.
