Mining, CRZ to be highlights of Goa Congress' manifesto for LS

Resumption of iron ore mining and scrapping of the 2019 Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) notification would be the major promises in Congress' manifesto for Lok Sabha polls in Goa, a senior leader said Wednesday.

The date of the manifesto's release is yet to be announced.

The mining in Goa came to a grinding halt in March 2018 when the Supreme Court set aside renewal of 88 mining leases for illegalities.

The fishermen community has opposed the CRZ notification of January 2019, saying it is detrimental for the marine life and will put their livelihood in peril.

The notification reduced the CRZ from 200 meters to 50 meters from the high-tide line.

Goa Congress chief spokesperson Sunil Kawthankar said that party chief Rahul Gandhi had told the state unit that mining and CRZ should be the highlights of the manifesto.

"Resumption of iron ore activities and protecting the interests of people in the coastal belt, who are likely to be affected by CRZ notification, will be our priority," he added.

During his visit to Goa last month, Gandhi had met representatives of mining-dependent people and fishermen.

The Congress has fielded its Goa unit chief Girish Chodankar from North Goa Lok Sabha seat and former MP Francisco Sardinha from South Goa. Polling will be held in Goa on April 23.