PONDA: The North Goa Truck Owners Association (NGTOA) has appealed to truck owners not to fall prey to the misleading campaign of All Goa Truck Owners Association (AGTOA) president Nilkhant Gawas, who is allegedly meeting truck owners and asking them to strike for a hike in the transportation rate of e-auctioned ore.
NGTOA president Mahesh Gawas stated that the NGTOA, SGTOA, and barge and machine owners had collectively made efforts to restart mining in Goa. When the issue of transportation rates came up, it was the N/SGTOA who met the chief minister, two MLAs, the mines director and the transport director and decided the transportation rate and diesel formula, which were accepted by truck owners, and accordingly, the transportation of e-auctioned ore started.
He continued, “If the truck owners feel that the rates should be hiked, we are ready to sit with the government and CM to discuss the matter. But striking, protesting and stopping the transportation of e-auctioned ore is not good. All of us should encourage mining activities.”
Gawas further said that since the stock of e-auctioned ore is small, it is not possible for all truck owners to get many transportation trips. He also said that the government had implemented the One Time Settlement (OTS) Scheme and waived off the road tax, and therefore, it is not fair of AGTOA to demand a hike in the transportation rate.
Gawas alleged that Nilkhant and some truck owners and officials were spreading false information that mining companies are signing agreements with truck owner that the latter will transport ore at Rs 7 per kilometre per tonne after the resumption of mining in Goa.
He asked the truck owners not to fall prey to these rumours as Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar, at a meeting to settle the transportation rate, had assured to set new rates when mining activities restarted in Goa.
Gawas added that their petition in the Supreme Court will come up for hearing on October 29, following which NGTOA will hold its general body meeting at Baye Surla on November 5 at 9.15 am and also decide its course of action.
