Summary:
The GMPF was represented by Gaonkar, Vinayak Gauns and Chandrakant Gauns.Gaonkar said that the GMPF was satisfied with the meeting as Shah agreed to solve the problem. The front demanded that the Union government immediately start mining activities with a “legal solution”.Mining dependants want the Union government to solve the mining issue in the budget session of the Parliament, which will commence on January 31. Mining dependants want issue solved in budget sessionPANAJI: BJP national president Amit Shah has assured the mining dependants that a solution would be arrived at soon for resumption of mining in Goa, said Union Ayush Minister Shripad Naik on Sunday.Speaking to TOI from Delhi, Naik, who is also North Goa MP, said during the 20-minute meeting Shah explained the difficulties faced in resolving the imbroglio.After giving a patient hearing to the mining dependants’ delegation, Shah said the party leadership and the government are aware of their issues and that the livelihood of the people would not be affected, South Goa MP Narendra Sawaikar told TOI.Goa Mining People’s Front (GMPF) president Puti Gaonkar said BJP national president has assured that the mining issue would be solved legally soon.In a statement, Gaonkar said the GMPF had a fruitful meeting with Shah. He said, Shah stated that the issue of livelihood faced by lakhs of Goans due to stoppage of mining in known to all, and that the chief minister and 3 parliamentarians have been following up with the Centre for a solution.Gaonkar also said that Shah mentioned that the loss of jobs, idle trucks and barges, and bank NPAs were worrying, and that a “solution to the present mining impasse shall be brought about soon by the central government”.Shah held the meeting with Naik, Sawaikar and state BJP president Vinay Tendulkar. Sources said that mining dependants are pinning their hopes on the budget session.After the Union government failed to bring about an amendment to the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) (MMDR) Act in the recently concluded winter session of the Parliament, GMPF had Thursday demanded the resignation of all three MPs.Sources said that BJP has realised that the mining-affected people are upset with them and if steps to rectify the situation aren’t taken immediately, winning the two Lok Sabha seats will be difficult.Mining came to a halt in the state from March 15, 2018, following the decision of the Supreme Court to quash the second renewal of 88 mining leases..