Activists call for lifting of ban on mining in Goa

Various trade unions and activists have warned of a “serious” law and order problem if the ban on mining is not lifted in Goa.

Coinciding their visit to Delhi with that of Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parikkar, a “rainbow delegation” of organisations representing workers and mining dependent people from Goa is here to petition the Centre in this regard.

Serious issue

“If Manohar Parrikar is in Delhi, it’s because he has recognised the seriousness of the problem,” said Christopher Fonseca, General Secretary of All India Trade Union Congress, who is leading the team, which includes Suhaas Naik, convenor of Goa Mining People’s Front.

“One out of four families in Goa is dependent on mining,” Fonseca told

Business Line . Since the Supreme Court’s October 2012 ban, Goa has lost two seasons of mining, resulting in a loss of Rs 2,500 crore to the state revenue. Over one lakh people have been hit by the ban.

Flaying Parikkar, he said while the Goa government had doled out sops to truckers, the fate of the other workers remain uncertain.

“Five thousand barge workers, 15,000 permanent miners, truck drivers, migrant workers, port trust workers, machine operators and contract labourers are also affected. We’re looking at a serious law and order problem if the mining ban is not lifted soon,” Fonseca added.

Illegality

While the Goa Chief Minister has disputed both the Shah Commission and the Gadgil reports, the unions say that “illegality is there and all mining companies must be made accountable."

"We want the State government to set up regulatory mechanisms, identify the illegal mines and assess the ecological impact. But keep the mines open on running repairs. There are livelihoods at stake and no alternatives are available," the unions' spokeperson pointed out .