Goa Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar today appealed to the mining industry stakeholders to resolve their differences so that iron-ore extraction activity can resume immediately in the state.
"It's time truck owners and mining firms resumed the work (on iron-ore extraction) immediately. Some mine owners have already started fresh extraction at 4-5 places," he told the Legislative Assembly.
The Chief Minister said the e-auctioning of existing ore has already started.
"There are some issues which truck owners have raised. They want higher rate to transport the ore. No one should take extreme stand as far as mining is concerned.
"Resumption of mining operation is necessary to ensure a bright future for the State. I appeal to all stakeholders to resolve their differences and not to play with the economy of the state," Parsekar said.
He said the state government has taken all possible steps to resume mining activity after the ban, imposed by the Supreme Court, was lifted in 2014.
Parsekar said his government has also managed to solve the problems faced by sand extraction industry due to environment-related issues.
The government has started giving permits to sand extractors, he said. "We had received 614 applications of which 39 were given permits. More permits would be given in future."
The Chief Minister claimed the Government's action will help ease shortage of the key construction material.
He announced that trucks bringing sand from outside Goa would be allowed to enter the state after paying Rs 200 as permit fee per trip.
