Rupesh Samant

Daijiworld Media Network

Panaji, Dec 9: Two days ahead of scheduled protest by mining dependents from Goa in Delhi demanding resumption of the activity in the State, a Senior BJP minister on Sunday said that sit-in in the national capital will not provide the solution for the vexed issue.

State Health Minister Vishwajit Rane, claiming that he is in full support of the mining dependents, said that holding protests in Delhi would not provide solution for this problem related to resumption of the mining industry.

“The solution for the issue has to come by discussing at government to government level,” commented Rane, referring to the discussions between State and Union government on the issue.

Goa Mining People’s Front, an umbrella organization of mining dependents, will hold three-day-long protest in Delhi between December 11-13, at Ram Leela Maidan for the first two days and on the final day at Jantar Mantar.

The mining dependents are demanding that Parliament should move amendment to the existing mining laws so that the Iron Ore leases in the State will get to extract, transport and export the ore till the year 2037.

Rane said that Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar is in touch with “certain people” in Delhi to ensure that the mining activity resumes.

The minister said that the State and Central governments would find some or other solution for this problem.

“Being MLA from the mining belt, I have full sympathy and support to the mining dependents. I have said that CM Manohar Parrikar and the BJP led government will have to work out some or other solution for the problem,” he commented.

The BJP minister suggested that the interests of truck owners and people dependent on this industry should be protected.

“If we are not able to go on path `A’ then go on path `B’. I am confident, there is some thinking going on, so let us see it goes on,” he said referring to the options of either moving amendment in the Parliament or any other possibility, which would lead this industry to resume in Goa.

“There are two-three options. I am sure government will do it. I am sure government knows the seriousness of mining. The revenue from mining is very important and mining resumption is on the top agenda of the government,” he added.

Rane claimed that the discussions on resumption of mining in Goa would not be taken up till December 11, when results of polls held for five State Legislative Assemblies are announced.

“I am sure everybody will understand that till on December 11 when results come, I don’t see any movement happening because everybody is preoccupied,” he said.

“Once that is over, things will automatically start moving. Every body (BJP leadership) is busy in campaigning,” he said.

Rane said that the current stalling of mining industry is a result of the order of the SC. “It’s a court issue. The court had brought stay on the mining in Goa because of Goa Foundation (NGO which went in petition to the Apex Court) as a result of which when you are navigating (discussing), it should be a clear cut path,” he commented.