Goa Guv assures to take up mining issue with PM, claims GMPF

An umbrella body fighting for those affected by the closure of the mining sector in Goa Tuesday claimed state Governor Mridula Sinha had assured them she would take up the issue of its resumption with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

A delegation of the Goa Mining People's Front (GMPF) led by its president Puti Gaonkar met Governor Sinha Tuesday.

The state's mining sector came to a standstill after the Supreme Court, in February this year, quashed 88 mining leases and banned extraction of fresh ore from March.

"The governor has specifically assured us to take up the matter related to resumption of mining activity in the state with the PM," Gaonkar told reporters here Tuesday.

He said the delegation explained to the governor the amendment to mining laws that the GMPF has been demanding.

The GMPF wants Parliament to pass an amendment to the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Bill, 1957 so that mining leases in Goa get an extension till 2037.

He said people dependent on mining would hold a four-day protest at New Delhi's Ram Leela Maidan and Jantar Mantar from December 10.

"Parties like the Congress, Goa Forward Party, Shiv Sena, Goa Suraksha Manch, Nationalist Congress Party, Aam Aadmi Party will meet the protesters in Delhi," Gaonkar claimed.