Modi assures to find solution to Goa mining crisis

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Wednesday assured to find a solution to the ongoing mining crisis in Goa, and said the Centre will toe the state government's line for resumption of the industry.

He was speaking at 'Vijay Sankalp Sabha' near Panaji as part of the BJP's campaign for the upcoming Lok Sabha election.

"I am well aware about the situation of mining industry in Goa and concerns of the state related to it. Some time back, I had invited stakeholders of this industry in Delhi and held a detailed discussion with them," Modi said.

"We discussed the issue in detail on how to work out a solution for the problem. While there is a Supreme Court on one side, there are also old laws (which we need to deal with) on the other and then there is corruption. The entire issue is entangled in this," he said.

"I have tried to understand the problem in detail. I am well aware that livelihood of several people is dependent on this industry," he said.

The PM added that the Centre would resolve the issue either by working out a legal solution or by informing the apex court about the state's stand.

"I want to give you an assurance that the central government will act as per the stand taken by the state government for resumption of mining activities," he said.

Modi said that Centre will leave no stone unturned to find out a solution to this problem and try to remove all the hurdles in the resumption of this industry.

In February 2018, the Supreme Court had quashed 88 mining leases in the state. The industry came to a standstill from mid-March last year and continues to remain so.

Around two lakh people dependent on this industry are demanding that the central government should amend existing law to make way for its resumption.