Panaji: Goa Livelihood Forum (GLF) an independent Think Tank in Goa supported by the Forum for Integrated Development and Research (FIDR), India’s leading social change organisation has released today a seminal research report based on a survey in Goa. This report is the follow up to GLF’s White Paper on Livelihoods Goa and the White paper of LGBTQ community in Goa, released last year. The report is clear that in Goa, the mining ban has made a negative impact on the wellbeing of the families living in the state. The survey underlines livelihood, family, and economic crisis that have affected the peace and prosperity of whole communities in the wake of the mining stoppage in Goa.
The report, entitled “Goa Livelihood Report 2020”, is based on a survey conducted across all the Talukas in the State of Goa. The respondents belong to the key sectors of the ecosystem with representation by gender and age, and by people from varied education backgrounds. This report is an attempt to collate, analyse, and present an on-the-ground, socio economic situational assessment of the sectors like agriculture, mining, tourism and youth development in the state.
The report, entitled “Goa Livelihood Report 2020”, is based on a survey conducted across all the Talukas in the State of Goa. The respondents belong to the key sectors of the ecosystem with representation by gender and age, and by people from varied education backgrounds. This report is an attempt to collate, analyse, and present an on-the-ground, socio economic situational assessment of the sectors like agriculture, mining, tourism and youth development in the state.
According to the report, the ban on mining has not only affected the families dependent on mining but also the families whose livelihoods are dependent on the ancillaries of the mining industry. Stoppage of iron ore mining in Goa has impacted revenues worth over Rs 34 billion annually and the livelihoods of several dependent segments have been affected due to ceasing of mining activities It has led the stakeholders of the industry without any alternate sources of income. The savings of the households have dipped drastically after the closure of the mines.
With the household incomes depleted by more than half after the mining ban, the incidences of domestic violence have increased due to the joblessness and financial crunch to run families. The women and children are the worst sufferers due to the policy decisions to close down mining. 70 percent of those surveyed felt that mining had helped create jobs for them in the first place. Today, these jobs have vanished. 65 percent of the respondents expressed that their family lives are under
agriculture as a viable livelihood option. It also reinstates the inclination of Goan youth towards service rather than entrepreneurship.
Speaking about the findings and the study, Mr. Charudutta Panigrahi, Mentor, FIDR, said, “According to a report published by Centre for Monitoring of Indian Economy (CMIE), Goa is witnessing its worst phase in terms of employment generation, and the rate of unemployment of the state is at 34.5% which is the highest in the country. In addition to rising unemployment the mining stoppage has damaged the state’s social fabric to great extent. This report aims to bring the voice of India’s citizens especially Goans, on whose behalf India’s mineral and energy resources are managed. The stoppage of mining in the state has not only caused revenue damage and job loss within the state but has also led to major loss of investor confidence which would have a long-term negative impact on Goa’s economy. The survey results clearly demonstrated a sense of all-round gloom in the state economy and social life. For two consecutive years, the Goa government, in its annual budgets has conceded that around 20% of its GDP decline is attributable to mining.”
The survey of indicates that in Goa, stoppage of iron ore mining has impacted revenues worth Rs 34 billion which has been acknowledged by the State Government. The livelihood of several dependent segments has been affected due to the ceasing of mining activities in the state. This has left the stakeholders of the industry without any alternate source of income. Goa is at present facing a volatile situation with more than 3 lakh livelihoods at peril and with no signs of recovery. The government needs to act quickly and decisively to enable resumption of mining by the best and most viable mode to protect the citizens i.e. either through judicial or legislative route in the interest of the state. Goa with the highest per capita income in the country at one time, is severely debilitated today, with incomes badly hit and the quality of life fast sliding low.
