Panaji: Goa Governor Satya Pal Malik on Friday said the State government is making all attempts to ensure resumption of mining industry in the State considering the economical and psychological impact it’s closure has on the people dependent on it.
The Governor said that he along with Chief Minister Pramod Sawant have been trying to make sure the mining industry resumes “either through Court or legislative action”.
Malik’s reaction comes a day after representatives from 27 panchayats in the mining belt met him demanding his intervention in restarting of the industry, which has been shut down since February 2018 after Supreme Court quashed 88 mining leases.
The Governor conceded that the closure of Iron Ore extraction and export industry has left economical implications on the state’s revenue collections besides psychological impact on the people, who were dependent on the industry.
“I do admit that many people have suffered due to closure of the mining industry. I told them that chief minister (Pramod Sawant) is taking all the efforts for the resumption. I am also working towards it,” he said.
“The issue is before the Court but CM is also working to find political solution for this through legislative means. I am satisfied with the attempts made by the CM. I also there to support the chief minister,” Governor added.
Malik stated that the development in the state has been affected due to closure of mining industry as “there are very less resources for revenue generation in the state.”
“Resumption of mining is very important for the development of Goa,” he added.
Admitting that deteriorating mental health is one of the concerns in the mining belt, Governor said that the people should have faith that the issue would be resolved either through court or through legislative action.
