Panaji: Goa’s mining industry, if resumed immediately, has the potential to bring in Rs 7,000 crore for next nine months to elevate the financial situation of the coastal state post COVID-19 scenario, a senior functionary said.
Goa Mineral Ore Exporters’ Association President Ambar Timblo said that the central government should work out “legislative cure” to ensure resumption of the mining industry, which has been stalled since last two years after Supreme Court’s order to quash the iron ore leases.
The mining industry was one of the highest revenue earner for the state after tourism.
Timblo said that in the times when Goa government is working on the economic revival, the resumption of mining industry is “probably, the most practical and reasonable option.”
He said that the industry has already shared the clarity with the State and Central government on how to resume the industry.
Timblo said that the mining industry is insulated (from the impact of pandemic). “It can recommence at the soonest and generate the revenue immediately,” he added.
Timblo said that the industry, after getting the go-ahead, is ready to commence the operations in September-October, this year.
“By starting the mining and exporting the ore, we will bring in at least Rs 7,000 crore revenue in nine months,” he said.
Timblo said that the Union Ministry of Home Affairs in their guidelines issued during COVID-19 situation has included mining in the essential industries.
He said that the central and state government has many options to resume the mining operations. “They (governments) have made their position clear in SC. They have made position clear that period of mining lease in Goa is up to the year 2037,” he said.
“The alternative available before the State government is go for legislative cure,” he said.
Pointing out that often, the mining operations are shut down after NGO approaches the top court, Timblo said “whatever solution is found NGO will go against it also. So we need to ensure that once it starts, there are no further possibilities of shutting down the industry.”
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