The Bharatiya Janata Party will strive to evolve a transparent mining policy in Goa and Karnataka to bring about a balance among environment, employment and progress of the industry, its president Nitin Gadkari said on Sunday.
The party would work for transparency in allotting mining leases in Goa if it was voted to power, he told presspersons here. He was in Goa to announce a BJP-Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party alliance for the March Assembly elections
“I have discussed the issues of mining at length with the Goa BJP leadership. I will discuss the issues with the Karnataka leadership also. We want a policy on mining, including transparency in allotment of mines, transportation of ore, etc.”
It was for both States and the Centre to have a cohesive policy and for the Centre to put in place a mechanism to take strict action against those violating norms, he said.
Mr. Gadkari suggested modification of the “eccentric green norms” in the country.
To a question, he said the BJP- MGP combine would fight the Congress-led ruling alliance on issues of corruption and bad governance.
The BJP, which was in the forefront in attacking the Digambar Kamat government over “mining scams of Rs. 25,000 crore” in recent times and which has even petitioned the President and the Central agencies for a probe, is now talking of “support to good mining and opposition to illegal mining” in its campaign.
