Panaji: People dependent on mining industry have asked the Goa government to fast-track resumption of iron ore mining in the state post Supreme Court lifting the ban.
The development comes exactly a day before the Goa state cabinet's scheduled meeting on Wednesday, which is likely to unveil its mining policy, paving the way for resumption of mining activities in the state.
In a letter addressed to Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parikkar, Mormugao Stevedores' Association president Vinod Parkkot said stevedores handling cargo vessels at Mormugao and Panjim ports have asked for an immediate resumption of mining since the ban has led to unemployment, which is now taking its toll on families, especially in the Vasco region.
The letter said that since handling of export-oriented iron ore had stopped, people associated with facilitating export of iron ore have lost their means of livelihood. Mormugao Ships Agents' Association (MSAA) has also written to Goa Chief Minister that the mining ban has impacted overall business in the shipping industry, due to which there have been major job cuts.
Ship repairing company Sangvhi Shipwrights Managing Director Rashesh Sanghvi also requested the Goa Chief Minister to take special interest in granting mining leases and environmental clearances in close co-ordination with Centre.
Sanghvi brought it to the Goa CM's notice that around 2,800 employees who used to benefit indirectly due to mining are suffering. The ship repair industry is labour-intensive and skilled workers are facing severe hardship due to the ban, Shanghvi said.
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