Schools, church, panchayats demand resumption of mining in Goa

, Jun 12: Various institutions in

's mining belt, including a church and a school, have appealed Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar to resume mining in the state for accelerating the economic activity.

Several representations were sent to Parrikar last week by village panchayats, a school, transport contractors and a church, claiming that besides economic slowdown, the developmental works which were taken by mining firms as a part of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) have also ceased.

Gananath English High School, an institution at Nirancal village, 70 kms away from Panaji, has told the Chief Minister that they are finding it difficult to get required number of students as many families have migrated in search of alternate employment, since the closure of mining industry.

"The children of those who were employed in the mining industry have left the school. This is having an impact on our new admissions. This is also a situation with the schools in the areas of Usgao, Tisk, Codli, Kothambi and Panchawadi," the letter signed by school headmaster Girish Tendulkar reads.

School admissions have also been affected after the mining was stopped

"Generally the strength in our school and also of similar other institutions in rural areas is low and now it has become much less. Some schools are not even meeting the minimum strength required to run a school and are on the verge of closure," he said.

Fr Savio Viegas, Parish Priest of Immaculate Conception Church in Dabal village, in a representation to Parrikar has requested for resumption of mining. "I on behalf of the church committee and the villagers, request you to renew the mining lease of Codli Mine belonging to Sesa Sterlite and start mining operations at the earliest so that the sufferings of people of this village shall stop and our village and its constituents shall start earning and thrive as in the past," he has said.

Fr Viegas has said that the CSR initiative by mining firms was helpful for the church and a school run by it. "The mining companies always give a helping hand to the villagers around. They have been a great support for our church and also to Immaculate Conception School at Dabhal," he said.

PTI