Mining: Protesters boil; politicos face the heat

VOICES OF SUPPORT >>
PRATAPSINGH RANE
We request the government to file a review petition before the SC
LUIZINHO FALEIRO
Don't ruin the livelihoods of people when you can't generate employment
NILESH CABRAL
We will have to write to Prime Minister Narendra Modi individually
BABU KAVLEKAR
Mining should continue and protestors have full support of Congress MLAs
NARENDRA SAWAIKAR
SC should have given a thought to livelihood of people before passing the order
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FLASHBACK
In its judgement on February 7, the apex court cancelled all 88 renewed mining leases in the state in response to a petition filed by the NGO, Goa Foundation
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PANAJI: Over a thousand mining dependent persons gathered at Azad Maidan on Wednesday to protest the ban imposed by the Supreme Court on all mining activities in the state from March 16 onwards. The crowd comprised overwhelmingly of mining tuck owners and drivers, who stand to lose their livelihood yet again following the ruling of the top court.
The protestors threatened to bring the state to a standstill if legislators and Members of Parliamnet from the State fail to find a permanent solution by March 16 to the constant hurdles in the path of Goa's mining industry.
Though they threatened to march to the Assembly Complex to seek a meeting with all the MLAs, the crowds only swelled further at the Azad Maidan by afternoon. However, in response to the demand of the protestors for full support from all MLAs, eight MLAs and one Member of Parliament visited Azad Maidan to stand for the demands of the people dependent on mining and allied activities.
Sanvordem MLA Deepak Pawaskar, Sanguem MLA Prasad Gaonkar, Bicholim MLA Rajesh Patnekar, Curchorem MLA Nilesh Cabral, Poriem MLA Pratapsing Rane, Ponda MLA Ravi Naik, Navelim MLA Luizinho Faleiro and Quepem MLA and Leader of Opposition Chandrakant "Babu" Kavalekar as well as South Goa MP Narendra Sawaikar voiced their support to the cry of help raised by the protestors.
Rane and Faleiro informed the crowd about the calling attention motion moved by them on the floor of the House on Wednesday and requested Goa's MPs to pursue a similar line of action in the Parliament.
Addressing the crowd, Rane stated, "Mining and allied activities provide employment to a lot of people. The closure of all mining activities isn't correct. Goa has developed through the industry. We request the government to file a review petition before the SC. Environmental damages should be balanced against the survival of thousands of people. The mining belt cannot fall back on tourism or any other industry for livelihood and the government should find a resolution sooner than later."
Speaking in similar tone, Cabral sought to point out that the issue faced by Goa's mining industry aren't akin to those suffered by the rest of India. "We will have to write to PM Modi individually to make sure that mining continues after March 16," he said.
Faleiro criticized the government for its failure to generate employment and lamented that the financial condition of Goa has come to a standstill. "Find a permanent solution instead of bringing people out of the roads each time. Don't ruin the livelihoods of people when you can't generate employment," he roared.
While Ponda MLA Ravi Naik reiterated the need for filing of a review petition by the state government before the apex court, Leader of the Opposition Babu Kavalekar argued that mining should continue in Goa and assured the protestors full support of the Congress MLAs.
South Goa Lok Sabha member Sawaikar assured the crowd that he will issue the matter on behalf of the state government in New Delhi. "The CM had convened a meeting following the SC ruling and he was supposed to address another meeting on the issue on February 24, before he fell ill. The SC should have given a thought to the livelihood of Goa's people before passing the order," he said.
Ajit Singh Rane of the Goa Trade Unions Confederation also addressed the protestors and said that the issue isn't restricted to mining affected constituencies alone. He said, "Mining is the backbone, the spine of Goa's economy. All elected representatives should be involved."
Sandeep Parab of the Machinery Owners' Association suggested that the state government should make a representation before the President of India, who will be visiting the state on February 24.
President of Barge Owners' Association Raymond D'Sa, Joseph Coelho of Sesa Goa, Sanvordem sarpanch Sandeep Pawaskar, Pale deputy sarpanch Mahesh Gawas, Mulgao sarpanch Pradeep Rivonkar and Uguem panch Maya Jangli were among those who expressed their protest to the SC order. Several speakers questioned the humanitarian aspect of the court ruling.
In its judgement on February 7, the apex court cancelled all 88 renewed mining leases in the state in response to a petition filed by the NGO, Goa Foundation. The bench of Justice Madan B Lokur and Justice Deepak Gupta stated that the state government "should take all necessary steps to grant fresh mining leases in accordance with the provisions of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957".

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Options thrown up in House to
bypass Apex Court order 

WHAT ARE THE OPTIONS
* Moving an ordinance to bypass the Supreme Court’s order
* Asking Parliament to move an ordinance to bypass the order
* Resolution conveying sentiments of the house to the centre
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PANAJI: Legislators cutting across party lines sought that there be no ‘intermission’ in mining activity in the state even as they flayed the government for what they claimed was a lackadaisical response.
Speaking during a calling attention motion moved by former Chief Minister and Poriem MLA Pratapsingh Rane, former Chief Minister and Navelim MLA and Luizinho Faleiro and Shiroda MLA Subhash Shirodkar, members threw up options ranging from moving an ordinance to bypass the Supreme Court’s order, asking Parliament to move an ordinance to bypass the Supreme Court order as well as moving a resolution conveying the sentiments of the house to the central government. They sought that the government take an urgent decision in the matter.
The motion cited anguish and anxiety in the minds of the people of Goa due to the decision of the Supreme Court on the mining issue which will adversely affect the mining stakeholders like truck owners, barge owners, etc. and adversely deteriorate the unemployment scenario in the State of Goa.
In response, Sudin Dhavalikar said that … “the Chief Minister having realised the possible impacts it will have on the economy of the state and livelihood of the people involved in mining and related trade has already begun consultation with all stakeholders including the members of this house in whose constituency the leases are situated. I desire to inform the people of Goa through this august house that this government will look at all available options in the best interest of the state and its people. Meanwhile, formulating a new policy to continue with mining and related trade the government will auction the available mineral dump extracted ore in this interim period.”
“I’m deeply disappointed with this reply. Govt does not show any desire to resolve this matter. We are not here to discuss, we are here to send a message. Tomorrow all of us will be laughing stock. What is the road map to help the economy of the state? Where is your leadership, what is the solution. The people are languishing and rotting and you are giving this reply? What is this reply? Available mineral dumps and available mineral ore in the interim period? No roadmap no solution? What is the solution tell us now. We are ready to be with you, we are forgetting our status of opposition,” Luizinho Faleiro said.
With legislator both from the ruling and the opposition baying for a decision and unhappy with the response given by the leader of the house Sudin Dhavalikar, the Speaker decided that he would take a decision later after speaking to “other leaders” including Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar to solve the issue.
“The PWD Minister is the leader of the house, he will speak to the Chief Minister. I will speak to other leaders and we will take a decision,” the Speaker Pramod Sawant said.
A furious Cabral despite being from the ruling camp said that the government’s reply suggested a complete ignorance on the issue suggested that a mechanism can be worked out where mines which are not in the list of 88 mines whose renewal was scrapped can be restarted.
“This is a very funny statement. I don’t know who has given this and on what basis this is given,” Cabral said referring to Dhavalikar’s statement that in the interim the government will auction available dump and extracted ore.
“What are dumps, that which were rejected and kept as dumps. In today’s market only ore of grade Fe 58 onwards has worth. Everything else has no value.Have you done analysis of these dumps. How can you make a statement in the house,” Cabral said.
On the other hand, Curtorim legislator Aleixo Lourenço said that the onus is now on the state government to ensure that people are not affected. He said that it was the the BJP’s own actions both prior to 2012 in Goa where the raised a hue and cry over mining as well as prior to 2014 at the centre where they raised a hue and cry over the alleged 2G and Coalgate scams which has resulted in the Courts and the Central government mandating that there now be auction for alienation of natural resources.
“Now we are telling the people that there is the need of continuation. Whatever we do should not should not come under contempt of court. Whatever SC says we have adhere,” Lourenço said.
Earlier Pratapsingh Rane raised the issue of how once if the Goan miners lose touch of the market the space will be occupied by others and it will be difficult to regain.
Several other legislators including Pravin Zantye, Milind Naik, Michael Lobo, Carlos Almeida, Prasad Gaonkar and others sought that the issue be resolved at the earliest.