Team Herald
MARGAO: Stating that Goans should benefit from the infrastructure projects undertaken in the State, Deputy Chief Minister Vijai Sardesai assured the Goa Crane Owners’ Association that he would take up their issue with Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant.
A delegation of the recently-formed Goa Crane Owners’ Association led by president Preshit Kamat informed Vijai that they have no business following the closure of the mining sector and noted companies are hiring cranes from outside the State.
“Even for the huge projects such as the bridges, our Goan cranes were not used and instead they brought cranes from other States using the clause that infrastructure was to be arranged by the contractor,” he said and wondered as to how they could pay the installment of the machinery if they have no business.
He said for Mopa airport work, cranes are brought directly from Maharashtra instead of using Goan machinery and argued that while the State government earns through the taxes they pay to the State, the operators from outside Goa do not pay taxes to govt.
He disclosed that companies that were using their machinery earlier like Sesa Goa or Vedanta and even Goa Shipyard Ltd have now started using cranes from outside Goa.
Stating that the code of conduct was in force, Vijai said the government would not be able to take a policy decision. He agreed that the taxes levied should be reduced and assured that he would take up this issue with the government.
“I would strongly advise you to remain united to take Goa forward and demand that Goans should benefit from the infrastructure projects undertaken in Goa,” he said and added that this was in keeping with his party philosophy of Goans benefitting from works in Goa.
He said the crane owners were also mining dependants and added that since the government has avowed to protect the mining dependants, it should also protect the crane owners. Vijai said he was committed to provide a level playing field to all concerned.
