Women from Goa's mining belt visit assembly

As the Goa Legislative Assembly discussed the issue of resumption of mining activities in the state today, several women from self-help groups watched the proceedings from visitors gallery.
These women visitors were from the mining belt of Bicholim, Sattari, Sangeum, Quepem, Karmane, Kirlapale, Dabal, Codli, Savargal, Usgao, and Navelim.
"We came to watch the proceedings and to seek help from the Chief Minister for the resumption of the industry. We can't see our family members dejected and lost. We only want that mining should resume as it is our sole means of earning livelihood," said Aparna Shetye, one of the women.

"It was satisfying....We never thought we will witness the proceedings....We all were together not as protesters but simple mine workers with the hope that the industry will resume operations so that hardships of the last twenty months will end," she told reporters.
Another woman, Geetanjali Naik, said hundreds of families in mining belt had invested their life's savings in trucks or mining-related equipment. "This talk of restricting mining activities threatens our livelihood," she said.
"We own cranes, mining machinery and trucks that have brought prosperity to our homes and helped send our children to schools. It is wrong to blame the mining which has generated income for our villagers," Naik said.

According to government data, mining industry contributes 35 per cent of Goa's GDP. Almost 75,000 people are dependent on it, directly or indirectly.
The Supreme Court earlier this year revoked the suspension of mining, but operations are yet to resume.