PANJIM: Mine owners in the State have told the Supreme Court appointed Centrally Empowered Committee (CEC) that they can be punished if they are guilty but if they are not, they should be allowed to restart legal mines as early as possible.

Various stakeholders including owners of trucks, barges, machinery and mine owners had urged CEC to start mining, during its four day visit, earlier this week. The mine owners who met the three member committee headed by P V Jayakrishnan, twice during their visit made their best attempt to put across the social and economic impact of mining ban on the State.