Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar today said people dependent on mining would have had to resort to suicide after stoppage of their economic activity, but the situation was averted due to the financial help given by BJP led state government in 2012.
"I remember the situation in 2012. Suddenly, there was stoppage of mining industry. I can understand what the person goes through when suddenly his income stops," Parrikar said addressing BJP's 'Vijay Sankalp' rally at Mayem constituency.
"The way farmers in Maharashtra and other states commit suicide after poor rain, similar situation would have arisen in Goa after ban on the mining industry, but the situation was averted due to the financial schemes introduced by the state government," said Parrikar, a former Goa Chief Minister.
He recalled that a total of 12,000 truck owners and 4,500 people who had lost their jobs were provided solace by the state government on a monthly basis.
"Government introduced a scheme to pay their outstanding loan to the banks for which till date Rs 76 crore are spent. In all total Rs 350 crore package was offered to the people relying on the mining industry," he said.
"It was a challenging task for us. I am happy to inform you all that despite stoppage of mining industry, I managed to recover over Rs 1,500 crore from the mine owners," said the Union Minister.
Parrikar also said he had no time to publicise the achievements of his government (in the coastal state) as he was busy in "troubleshooting" at that time.
The mining ban, which was imposed in 2012, was lifted in 2014 by the Supreme Court.
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