Don't lay off mining workers, solution in 2 months: Goa BJP

The BJP today asked mining companies in Goa not to lay off staff due to the crisis the sector is currently facing, adding that a solution to it would be worked out in the next two months.

The mining sector in the state has faced a shutdown since March 16, the date from which a Supreme Court order had banned extraction of iron ore.

The SC order had quashed all 88 mining leases in Goa and had asked the state government to go in for fresh auction of these leases.

Addressing a press conference, legislator and BJP spokesperson Nilesh Cabral today said that his party had been pulling out all stops to ensure that mining resumed in Goa as soon as possible.

"We request mine owners not to take a hasty decision. Instead, wait for two months as a solution to the crisis is being worked out. I request all mine owners not to remove any staff right now," said Cabral.

He said that the state unit had got assurances from Central leaders that they would work out some system to ensure that mining employees were not affected.

"Our concern towards the mining industry is not for the sake of mine owners but for those working in these mines," Cabral, who represents Curchorem constituency, one of the prime spots for iron ore mining in Goa, said.

He said that there would be "no sense" in trying to resume mining if companies started laying off their employees.

Cabral said that he had personally got opinions from three lawyers on the issue.

Speaking on the Congress' opposition to the Cabinet Advisory Committee, formed to guide the state government in the absence of Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar who is unwell, Cabral said such an arrangement was put in place earlier in Tamil Nadu.

A Congress delegation had met Goa Governor Mridula Sinha yesterday to demand the setting aside of decisions taken by the CAC claiming that its formation was "unconstitutional".