Panaji (Goa)

Ahead of blanket ban on mining activities, BJP National President Amit Shah has assured to find a way out in order to ensure the livelihood of around two lakh mining dependents are not lost.

The assurance was made during a short meeting with Goan BJP’s Members of Parliament (MP) for Lok Sabha Shripad Nai and Narendra Sawaikar; and Rajya Sabha MP Vinay Tendulkar who called on Party President Amit Shah this morning urging to resolve the mining crisis. 

The entire mining belt is in a state of panic as the mining activities will be shut post March 15, that comes after the Supreme Court order last month. 

“We met Shah at 11am and briefed him about the grim situation in Goa. If the mining activities are banned, two lakh people will be affected. He assured to find a way out and we hope the solution is out as soon as possible,” Tendulkar, who is also the Goa BJP President, told this reporter from New Delhi. 

Sawaikar, also in Delhi said they are working out various options to ensure the mining dependents do not suffer. 

The Goa BJP said Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar was closely pursuing the case to work out a solution before he took ill and was admitted to Lilavati Hospital in Mumbai followed further treatment to US. 

The All-party delegation that had met central leaders a couple of days ago had to return empty-handed. BJP MLA Nilesh Cabral, representing mining constituency Curchorem had vent out his anger claiming there was no governance in the State. 

“What is the use of being an MLA when you cannot address grievance of your people? It is better I resign. Where is the government to which I can address the crisis?” he had said last week. 

Meanwhile, union minister Nitin Gadkari is likely to visit Goa to take a stock of the situation and meet the mining stakeholders. However, no fixed day has been finalized yet. 

TEAM TNV