PONDA: President of All Goa Machine Owners Association (AGMOA) Sandeep Parab, who is also member of North Goa Truck Owners Association on Monday alleged that President of All Goa Truck Owners Association (AGTOA) Nilkant Gawas was becoming a hurdle in resumption of ore transportation by misleading truck owners to go on strike, which would not only affect their livelihood but could end the prospect of mining activities in Goa.

Addressing media persons, Parab, who supported the rate hike of Rs 12.50 for ore transportation last week by CM Manohar Parrikar, said the rates decided by CM under current scenario were in the interest of all parties, including mining companies. 

It is the selfish motive and ego of Gawas that was stalling the resumption of ore transportation, he said, urging others to take decision   themselves, rather than rely on their leader to go on strike. Parab said that he had worked more than Gawas in the interest of truck owners and that in the current circumstances truck owners should independently think whether to engage their truck for ore transportation or to go on strike and that stopping ore transportation was in nobody’s interest.He said Gawas was not in real sense representing all the truck owners associations in Goa and asked him to prove the stand by holding the general body of all truck associations in Goa.

Parab pointed out that he had requested the CM to hike the ore transportation rates only at the time of beginning of financial year when mining companies would not oppose it and truck owners would benefit.