Mining agreements will have condition to hire locals: CM
A private member's resolution demanding preference for the hiring of local truck operators and heavy equipment owners by mining companies was withdrawn after chief minister
Pramod Sawant
assured the House that the state's mining policy would be modified to address these concerns.
He also assured that conditions for employing locals would be included in the lease agreements with mining companies.
The resolution, moved by MLA Carlos Ferreira, sought to mandate all mining leaseholders in the state to prioritise the hiring of trucks, earth movers, tipper vehicles, and other heavy equipment owned and operated by Goans. The proposed measure aimed to support local employment and stimulate economic growth in mining-affected regions.
Supporting the resolution, MLA Nilesh Cabral raised concerns about mining companies outsourcing operations to outsiders. MLA Viresh Borkar pointed to practices where new mining leaseholders insist on engaging high-capacity trucks from Karnataka for transportation operations.
Opposition leader Yuri Alemao demanded that mining companies be asked to re-employ previously retrenched mining workers and make opportunities for locals mandatory.
MLA Vijai Sardesai proposed implementing a 'right of first refusal' policy, citing a similar practice by a mining firm in Karnataka that gives preference to locals in mining operations.
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