Goa CM warns Vedanta Resources against laying off mining workers

Panaji, July 5 (IANS) Amid reports of a likely layoff of some employees by Goa's only listed mining company Vedanta Resources following a prolonged ban on the mining industry in the state, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Friday said he has warned company officials against taking the step.

Sawant said the government in future would not co-operate with mining companies vis-a-vis granting of leases if they do not re-employ 100 per cent of the workforce which they have retrenched since the mining ban which was imposed in February 2018 by the Supreme Court.

"Vedanta workers met me yesterday. I have told Vedanta (officials) not to take the step," Sawant told reporters, when asked for his comments on reports that the state's biggest mining company was likely to layoff some of its workforce.

"I am saying again. If and when Goa's mining leases are allotted again, unless the companies re-employ 100 per cent of the workers who have been retrenched, only then will the government co-operate with them," Sawant said.

Mining in Goa was banned in 2018 by the apex court which cited irregularities in the process of renewal of mining leases. Several mining companies in the state have retrenched some of the workforce in view of the ban.