Ban on iron ore mining weighs heavily on Goa elections

The rows of weather-beaten trucks idling in Goa’s mining areas are a grim reminder of the plight of large sections of people deprived of their livelihood. The ban on iron ore mining is a festering wound, with dependent sectors such as transportation and logistics too bleeding badly.

The simmering anger is palpable among the many who have been deprived of their jobs, and it is likely to cast its shadow over the prospects of political parties in the elections that are two days away.

Govt apathy alleged

“This election, the anger of the mining community will decide the fate of the politicians,” Puti Gaonkar, President of the Goa Mining People’s Front (GMPF), an umbrella body of those dependent on mining, told BusinessLine . He said around 3 lakh people in Goa depend on mining.

“The government is not serious about resuming mining activities in Goa because they want to give these mines to some big industrialists such as Jindal and Adani,” Gaonkar claimed.

In February 2018, a Supreme Court order cancelled 88 iron ore mining leases in Goa following a technical review of the government’s renewal of leases. Mining in the State has been prone to similar bans and legal entanglements since 2012. In 2012, the Supreme Court had imposed a ban on iron ore mining which was lifted partially in April 2014.

Counter claims

Girish Chodankar, the Congress candidate for the North Goa Lok Sabha seat, holds the BJP responsible for the closure of mines, while alluding to the BJP wanting to hand them to Adani.

Narendra Sawaikar, the sitting MP from South Goa, who is contesting again, told BusinessLine that he is confident that the people from the mining belts will stand by the BJP this time.

“Ultimately, I would say it is the bad governance of the Congress, which was responsible for the troubles in the mining sector in the State,” he said, adding that the people are sure that only the BJP can find a solution to this.

Voters’ desperation

In the midst of political mudslinging, the mining dependent Goans have a different story to tell.

Prakash Gawade, 44, who lives in Dharbandora village of South Goa, has been without a job after the ban, with his two trucks gathering dust outside his house. He vehemently says no, when asked if he will vote for the BJP this time, though he points out how he likes the party at the Centre, particularly Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s policies. He said Narendra Sawaikar, the sitting MP from South Goa, hasn’t raised the mining issue in Parliament.

“I think 75 per cent of people here would vote for the Congress because people are angry,” he said.

Kashinath Satyawan Naik, 31, who also owns trucks, said sullenly that he plans to opt for NOTA, as he has no faith left in any party, though five years ago he had voted for the BJP.

Other truck-owners standing around concur. “The BJP promised to resume mining and we voted for them, but they did nothing. What have they done to start mining in these five years?” fumed Samir Fatrekar, 41.

“Goa is nothing without mining,” said Prabha Nair, 40. Her husband, Anil Kumar Nair, 48, used to work on the pipelines in the mines. He has been without a job since 2012. He used to do odd jobs to make ends meet. He finally managed to clinch a contract job just a week ago, but even that wouldn’t last long, he said glumly. Anil says that there are families that cannot even afford a square meal now.

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