Goa's economy hit due to mining halt: CM Laxmikant Parsekar

The halt of mining activity has affected Goa's economy, Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar said on Thursday in the state Assembly.

"The stoppage of mining activities in the state has impacted economy," Parsekar said in a written reply tabled in the House today during the ongoing Winter Session.

"There is huge socio-economic impact on co-related activities including truck owners, barge machinery owners, employees, truck drivers, small business owners and workers," he said, replying to a question by Congress legislator Chandrakant Kavlekar.

The Supreme Court had on October 5, 2012 stopped mining, transportation and export of iron ore in Goa following a report of irregularities by the Justice M B Shah Commission. However, the apex court had lifted the ban in 2014.

The Chief Minister further said that the state government has already notified one-time settlement scheme on November 3, 2014 wherein the banks were asked to roll out one time settlement of the loan for the people dependent on the mining industry.

According to him, the banks had to work out the settlement within the framework of the scheme.