Goa CM urges truck owners to accept new rates of transportation of iron ore

Goa Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar today urged truck owners of the mining areas to agree to new rates for transportation of iron ore proposed by him and allow the mining operations to start.

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a function here, he said, ”I have held discussion with mine owners, truck owners, MLAs of the mining areas, Director of Mines and Director of Transport. I have taken views all stakeholders and proposals to both truck owners and mine owners which is most suitable and advisable.”

Yesterday he had proposed three slab formula. He had proposed Rs 9 per tone per km for the first ten kms, Rs 8.20 per tone per km for the next 20 km and Rs 8 per tone per km above 20 km.

On the other hand, the trucker owners had come down from their orginal demand of Rs 17.32 per tone per km to Rs 11.27 per per km. But the mining companies had rejected the proposal.

”During the last four years the government had lost around Rs 4000 crore due to closure of mining. Therefore, its high time that the mining is started. I appeal to all truck owners and mining companies to start mining,” he said.

The Chief Minister has been trying to resolve the crises of mining industry in the state. Yesterday, tension had prevailed in Bicholim after ten persons were injured following clash among the members of different truck owners associations.

The incident had taken place when members of Bicholim Truck Owners Association stopped the iron ore carrying trucks. Earlier in the day, the Bicholim Truck Owners Association had a meeting with the Sesa Goa officials for taking decision on rate of transportation of iron ore.

But the talks failed. Then the company decided to transport iron ore with the help of mining workers by using their own trucks. But this enraged the truck operators and they decided to stop the transportation. Later, scuffle ensued and transportation was stopped.

An official of the Sesa Goa on condition of anonymity said that the agitators seemed to be determined to undermine the efforts of the government.

Source: http://news.webindia123.com

Goa CM urges truck owners to accept new rates of transportation of iron ore