TEAM HERALD
MARGAO: Transportation of bauxite ore from the Naqueri plateau came to a halt on Thursday after ore transporters from Quepem, Salcete and Mormugao came out strongly against the preferential treatment meted out to local ore transporters from the Fatorpa-Naqueri belt.
Agitated ore transporters from the three talukas insisted that there ought to be preferential treatment to none in a democratic set up where everyone is treated equal before the law. They pointed out that when they had gone to load the ore, they were shocked to find local truck owners given preference over others, adding that even the payments made to the outside owners are less comparative to the local owners.
A truck owner from Cuncolim Ulhas Desai said that truck owners should get the business based on rotation rather than on extraneous consideration such as local status etc.
“We will not accept the discrimination at the bauxite loading site anymore. We want justice and equal opportunities for all”, Ulhas said, while saying that the truckers from outside Naqueri-Fatorpa area will meet again to chalk out their future course of action if their host of demands are not met by the Bauxite mine owner.
A delegation led by Ulhas Desai and Fatorpa Sarpanch Sanzil D’Costa later called on the Manager of the mine and submitted a memorandum, wherein they demanded fixation of the rates as per the government rates, while demanding transportation of ore on first come first serve basis.
The delegation demanded that JCB should be used to adjust the tonnage at weigh bridge, while insisting that donation of Rs 50 per trip deducted from the truckers should be given in the name of the Association. They also demanded one common gate for the transporation.
