PM Modi is the last hope for mining amendment, pressure builds

खणी सुरू जावपाची निमाणी आस्त मोदी

04 Dec 2018 07:33 PM

The law and mining ministries of central government have rejected the proposal of amending the MMDR Act to restart mining in Goa immediately.



The last hope is now Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The mining dependent have already met the PMO.

And after Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar, they also want Goa Governor Mridula Sinha and union minister Suresh Prabhu to mediate with the PM, so that the amendment to the MMDR act is passed in the winter session of Parliament. 

Before proceeding to Delhi to hold three-day dharna from 11th December, the mining dependents on Monday also met Governor Mridula Sinha.

After the meeting, their leader Puti Gaonkar told the dependents on Azad Maidan that the Governor had agrees to speak to the PM personally in the next two days.

They also want CM Parrikar to arrange appointment with PM before 11th December.

And Suresh Prabhu has also assured them to take a delegation to the PM. 

The Union Government abolished mining concessions granted during the Portuguese regime and converted it into leases by an act of Parliament.

But Puti Gaonkar insists that Goa's mines are still the Portuguese leases. The same arguments which Goa's miners make.

And for job security, he opposes a mining corporation and wants Goa's miners to continue with their leases.

This was his argument when they met the additional secretary in PMO's office in Delhi recently. 

While dependents would leave for Delhi, union minister Nitin Gadkari is expected to be in Goa to inaugurate the Khandepar bridge on 10th of December.

He has thus appealed to those who would in Goa, to demonstrate in front of Gadkari. 




Reporter: Sameep Narvekar | Desk: | Camera: | Editing:



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