Mining-hit people meet Rahul for resumption of activity

A Goa-based body fighting for the cause of the people dependent on mining today called on Congress president Rahul Gandhi in Delhi seeking support of his party in Parliament to amend a law for resumption of the activity.

A delegation of Goa Mining People's Front (GMPF) led by Puti Gaonkar submitted an memorandum to Gandhi demanding amendment to the Goa Daman and Diu Mining Concession Abolition Act, 1987, for resumption of mining activity, which was banned by the Supreme Court in March this year.

The amendment will increase the life of iron ore lease till 2037, he said.

The Supreme Court in February this year had quashed the second renewal of iron ore mining leases given to 88 companies in Goa in 2015.

"We have given an memorandum to almost all legislators in Goa. They have been requested to pass a resolution on the floor of the House during upcoming Assembly session urging the Centre to amend the Goa Daman and Diu Mining Concession Abolition Act," Gaonkar said.

He said that once the resolution is moved, the amendment would be placed in the Parliament for which support of the Congress is needed.

"That is why we had gone to meet Gandhi who has assured us to discuss the issue with his party legislators from Goa," Gaonkar claimed.

Gandhi told the delegation that he would discuss the issue with the party legislators in Goa.

The GMPF delegation also met Union Labour Minister Santosh Kumar Gangwar against retrenchment of staff by the mining companies in the wake of the ban.

Union AYUSH minister Shripad Naik was present for the meeting with Gangwar.

"Gangwar told us that the issue of retrenchment of the mining staff should be taken up with the state government," Gaonkar said.