Goa CM asks miners to contribute to social sector

Panjim, Aug 23 (UNI) Goa Chief Minister Digambar Kamat today called upon miners to contribute more towards the development of the social sector, particularly towards their place of operations, so that rural and tribal people could also reap economic benefits through them.

Inaugurating the two-day 'Marketing Of Indian Iron Ore' conference organised by the Federation of Indian Mineral Industries (FIMI), Mr Kamat regretted that though there were a number of sessions in the conference, the organisers did not include a single session for the cause of the social sector.

He said at a time when tribals as well as rural people in the country were opposed to the idea of mining, it was the responsibility of the mining sector to take the people into confidence by initiating various social sector projects for their social development so that they also could cherish the benefits of economic growth.

The opposition in villages by the villagers would continue if they did not prosper from the mining activity, he said.

Secretary Mines J P Singh refused to speak on the new mining policy citing the ongoing Parliament session as the reason.

He however, informed that the Cabinet was expected to deliberate on the policy 'very soon', to take a final decision on it and it would be a progressive one which would lead to the growth and sustainable development of the country's mining sector.

''When there is no consensus between a husband and wife over the use of toilet soap in the house, then likewise, the question of a consensus does not arise here,'' Mr Singh said in response to questions from the media.

Also speaking on the occasion, Chairman, Minerals and Metals Trading Corporation (MMTC) Sanjiv Batra advocated the policy of a long-term contract and said the time was near when there would be a convergence between long term contract and spot prices.

He said the long term policy was beneficial for both buyers as well as sellers but at a time when spot prices were hovering around the 100-dollar mark, it would be very difficult to persuade sellers to go for long-term contract.

FIMI President Rahul Baldota in his welcome speech said the country had enough reserves of iron ore, valued at around 25 billion ton in today's estimation, but as mining resumes, these figures would keep changing.

UNI