Offshore mining will hit marine life, cancel tenders: Rahul Gandhi

NEW DELHI: Flagging the threat to marine life and livelihood of fisherfolk, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi has written to PM Narendra Modi seeking cancellation of tenders permitting offshore mining along the coasts of Kerala, Gujarat, & Andaman and Nicobar.

Opening up offshore mining blocks to private players without any rigorous assessment of its impact is concerning, Rahul said, adding "studies point to its adverse impacts, including threats to marine life, damage to coral reefs and depletion of fish stock". Coastal communities are protesting against the manner in which tenders for offshore mining have been floated without evaluating environmental impact .

"Fisherfolk have expressed concerns about impact on their livelihood," Rahul said. He said Offshore Areas Mineral (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2023 has been met with strong objections. "In this backdrop, when mines ministry invited tenders for grant of license for 13 offshore blocks, protests erupted against this move," he said. He said among these 13 blocks are three for mining construction sand off the coast of Kollam and three for polymetallic nodules off the coast of Great Nicobar Island.

In another letter to women and child development minister Annapurna Devi, he urged govt to increase the honorarium of anganwadi workers, and help retiring workers and helpers get gratuity.