Goa's mining dependants knock at PMO door for help

An umbrella group of mining dependent people in Goa Thursday sought Prime Minister Narendra Modi's intervention for resumption of iron ore mining which came to a halt nine months ago adversely affecting their livelihood.

The Goa Mining People's Front (GMPF) has submitted a memorandum to the Prime Ministers Office in New Delhi in this regard.

Thousands of mining dependent people are protesting in the national capital since the last three days demanding renewal of iron ore extraction and transportation in the coastal state.

Mining, which used to be one of two major sources of revenue in Goa - the other being tourism - came to a halt in March this year after the Supreme Court quashed 88 mining leases.

"After the stoppage of mining activities in the state many people who were directly employed in the mining industry have been retrenched and as a consequence have lost their jobs," GMPF president Puti Gaonkar has said in the memorandum submitted to the PMO.

"If immediate measures are not taken, their number is likely to increase exponentially, rendering a large population of the state jobless," according to the memorandum.

The GMPF has sought an appointment with Modi to personally present their case to him.

"Small-scale entrepreneurs like truck, barge and machinery owners have lost their only source of income and are left clutching at the straws to safeguard their childrens future," the memorandum said.

The GMPF has said it has been more than eight months since many have earned a single rupee to aid their sustenance.

"I would therefore take this opportunity to request your good self as leader of common people, who strives towards working for the betterment of masses, to please look into the matter and take necessary steps to ensure a sustainable livelihood to lakhs of people," it said.

An estimated two lakh people are associated with the mining industry in Goa.