The state of Goa has been rocked by widespread protests since yesterday after all iron ore mining leases given to 88 companies were cancelled by a Supreme Court order delivered last month owing contraventions of old directives issued by it.
When asked for the government’s response to the judgement’s enforcement, state agriculture minister Vijay Sardesai said Goa will face its “biggest crisis” today when the ban comes into effect. Tremors were already felt as thousands of people dependent on these mines gathered at Panaji’s Azad Maidan to protest against the ban.
The state cabinet has passed a resolution to urge chief minister Manohar Parrikar, who is currently undergoing medical treatment abroad, to file a review petition in the Supreme Court on behalf of the government for getting the ban overturned so that thousands of people don’t become unemployed overnight.
These developments stem for a month-old apex court order in which second renewal of lease rights over iron ore mines held by several companies were cancelled for conducting affairs in contravention of directions issued in this behalf. Lease holders were asked to stop mining until fresh licences were provided to them by the government after carrying out environmental impact assessments.
Goa is as much dependent on its mining industry as its tourism sector for economic revenue. As many as two lakh people work in the mineral-rich state’s several big and small mines. All of them are in the danger of losing their jobs as lay-offs by companies are imminent if the court’s ban is kept in place.
Meanwhile, a three-member cabinet advisory committee functioning in the absence of Manohar Parrikar has shortlisted a list of senior advocates to represent the state in its review petition. One of the ministers on this committee said the list will be forwarded to the chief minister for his opinion and then a lawyer will be appointed to represent Goa before the apex court.