TEAM HERALD
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VASCO: The Goa Barge Owners Association (GBOA) on Monday once again urged the State government to consider its request to bail it out of the mining crisis.
During a meeting with Mormugao MLA and Power Minister Milind Naik, GBOA President Atul Jadav stated that the government should allow export of the dumps.
“The government should also revise the rate of the dumps as the present one is not feasible taking into account the transportation cost. Dumps should be exported, otherwise these will be rendered useless,” he said.
“Presently, there are about 750 million tonnes of mining dumps lying at various locations and if these are allowed to be exported then we can start the barge business,” said Jadav.
“As the government has started collecting stamp duty from mine owners, it should also collect fines from defaulters in the mining sector and the same should be utilized to waive off loans availed by barge owners,” stated Jadav.
GBOA General Secretary William D’Costa urged the government to declare Goa as a mining-affected area so that barge owners will get a chance to approach the Reserve Bank of India to get some relief.
Speaking to media, the Power Minister said since most of the barge owners were from Vasco, a committee was formed and the government had appointed him as its chairman to look into the problems faced by barge owners.
Naik further said that the committee under his chairmanship had met earlier on three to four occasions and a final report was prepared, which will be handed over to the government for necessary action.
