Goa mining dependants 3-day protest begins in Delhi

Goa Mining People's Front held a peaceful protest to enlighten the concerned authorities that mining in the state has been shut for past 13-months. The protest was held at Delhi's Jantar Mantar till April 11th.

New Delhi: For the 2nd time in the last six months, Goa mining dependants under the banner of Goa Mining People's Front (GMPF) launched a peaceful protest in the national capital. Nearly, 500 mining dependants from the state will take part in the sit-in protest at Delhi's Jantar Mantar till April 11th.

Speaking exclusively to ETV Bharat about the protest, GMPF chief Puti Gaonkar said, "We are here to enlighten the concerned authorities that mining in the state has been shut for past 13-months. 60,000 direct dependants are still unemployed. They were removed from their services. Many transport trucks are standing idle. Because of which nearly, three lakh dependants are affected."Placing their trust in apex court which will hear the matter once again on April 15th, the GMPF chief said that no one from the government came to meet them. He even claimed that despite PM's assurance no debate over the issue took place in the parliament.With numb eyes, 35-year-old mining dependants Vinay Goankar claimed that he is the 2nd member from his family after his father to be in this profession. He even claimed that for past 13-months, he is jobless. His entire family depends on him for bread and butter.Post SC's order in March last year, which cancelled the renewal of 88 mining leases given by the state government in 2015, mining activity in the state has been shut.

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