AITUC demands nationalisation of Goa mining industry

The trade union bodies have demanded nationalisation of the Goa mining industry and taking it out from a handful of the mine owners dominating the scene.
All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) general secretary Christopher Fonseca told reporters today that the trade body has already demanded through its petition before the Supreme Court that the mining industry in Goa should be nationalised.
"Mineral is a national wealth. Why should few individuals earn from it? The industry should be nationalised so that the common people can benefit from it," Fonseca said.
The Goa Mining People's Front (GMPF), an umbrella organisation of the people dependent on mining, however, has not toed the line of AITUC.

Fonseca, who is also GMPF leader, said that the front comprises of various other stakeholders and it was decided at the conceptualising stage of the body that the issue of nationalisation will not be taken by them.
The GMPF has been pressing for immediate resumption of legal mining, financial help to people dependent on mining activity and also follow up action on the mine owners, as prescribed in Justice M B Shah commission report (which had exposed Goa's illegal mining industry).

Fonseca said that GMPF has taken structured approach towards the problem of stoppage of mining activity.
"AITUC is a trade union body which will always remain strongly against the mine owners who have looted Goa," he said, stating, as far as GMPF is concerned, the approach would be in unison with the other organisations.

He refuted allegations that mine owners were lobbying through GMPF to get the iron ore extraction activity started in Goa.
"The mine owners are not a part of GMPF. If you find a single mine owner amongst us, we will take action," Fonseca said.