TEAM HERALD
CURCHOREM: Adding to a growing list of associations demanding financial packages from the government, the South Goa Mining Affected Bus and Jeep Owners Association (SGMABJOA) has demanded financial benefits on grounds that their livelihood was affected due to a halting in mining activity in the State.
In a memorandum to Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar and MLAs from mining belt areas Ganesh Gaonkar, Sudin Dhavlikar, Mahadev Naik, Nilesh Cabral, Subhash Fal Dessai and Dr Pramod Sawant, the members urged to consider their “legitimate demand” by sanctioning financial assistance of Rs 50,000 for buses and tankers and Rs 40,000 for jeeps.
“Following a ban on mining activities in the State, our buses, tankers and jeeps are lying idle, as the companies stopped hiring our vehicles and it is very difficult for us to maintain our vehicles and we are also defaulters in paying loan amounts,” stated the memorandum.
They further stated that they are facing difficulty to pay the road tax, insurance and permit charges, as they are increased and the source of income has stopped due to stoppage of mining operation and their vehicles remained idle.
As the government has announced various packages for mining affected areas like financial assistance to truck owners, barge owners and workers whose services have been terminated, the SGMABJOA members demanded to consider their financial difficulties as they also availed loans from banks to purchase vehicles.
They also demanded to extend relief from the loan taken from the banks and other financial institutions to purchase vehicles on the lines and basis of the formula that is being adopted in case of mining affected trucks.
