Team Herald
PANJIM: The Mormugao Port Trust (MPT) employees unions on Tuesday called on Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar seeking his intervention in reissuing the consent to operate to coal handling activities of South West Port Ltd (SWPL) and mooring dolphins at MPT in a bid to protect the livelihood of those dependent on the business.
Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) on January 9 revoked the consent to operate granted to berths 5A and 6A of SWPL, thereby directing the firm to immediately suspend the coal handling activities, after the unit was found involved in gross violation of consent conditions. Also, MPT was directed to suspend activities at the mooring dolphin for operating without consent.
The Goa Port and Dock Employees Union, MPT Retired Officers Association and Mormugao Port Trust Officer’s Association office bearers submitted the memorandum to Chief Minister and appealed for his intervention in the matter to protect the livelihood of employees/workers, pensioners, family pensioners and their dependents.
SWPL, which has applied before the Board for fresh consent, in its submission had claimed that the suspension will affect steel industries in Bellary district of Karnataka and result in unemployment of hundreds of persons, directly or indirectly, dependent on the facility.
Meanwhile, eight vessels carrying 9,48,534 tonnes of coal, which are on the way to Goa, will be unloaded at MPT under GSPCB supervision. The last vessel will be reaching the port in the first week of February.
While the Board had granted SWPL 15 days to transport the coal lying at the berth, the firm got interim relief from the High Court, which allowed it to unload cargo from the vessels, which have already left for Goa.
