Team Herald
PANJIM: The contentious ore transportation rates issue appears to be far from getting solved as the crucial meeting between Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar, MLAs from the mining belt of Curchorem and Sanvordem, truckers and Sesa Goa remained inconclusive.
Sources said the truckers and the mining company, in the meet held at the CM’s official residence on Saturday, were adamant on their rates per tonne per kilometre.
Amidst the controversy, Curchorem MLA Nilesh Cabral, who has been insisting that mining activities should not be delayed any longer, decided to withdraw from the issue.
“CM said he has worked out some formula with Deepak Pauskar (Sanvordem MLA). I told him (CM) I have no problem and to go-ahead finalising the decision. I have declined to come back with the same issue again. I told Pauskar to finalise everything and whatever the decision would be, I am agreeable to it,” Cabral told Herald emerging from the meeting.
He said the CM had thrown open some ideas such as agreeing to Rs 11.50 for 17 plus trips, rate of which would increase by Rs 0.05 paise for every one trip less. “The CM agreed to Rs 11.50 for more than 17 trips from Codli to Amona and proportionally on the other routes. This would increase to Rs 11.55 for 16 trips, Rs 11.60 for 15 trips till the rate touches Rs 12.50. At this final rate, the slab closes. But they (protesters) are not able to understand. What am I supposed to do?” Cabral said.
The truckers have been demanding a uniform slab of Rs 12.50 per tonne per km and their other option is to lower the price of diesel for mining trucks.
Conveying to the CM his decision to step aside from the issue, Cabral claimed that many truckers want to re-start the activity but are caught in the controversy.
“A lot of people want to start the business but it looks like some truck owners who are so-called leaders are not interested. They are stuck with petty issues. CM had promised last time to start on the rates and we will discuss it further to get the things done, which they don’t want to do. They have ego problem, and so the activity has been brought to a standstill,” said the visibly upset BJP MLA.
Cabral, expressing concern for the dependents on this industry, confessed he
was not supposed to attend the meeting but heeded to the request from some truckers from Curchorem and Sanvordem. “They want to find a solution to this because are feeling the brunt now. That is why I came for the meeting,” he said.
Pauskar, on the other hand, claimed the CM has agreed to the truckers’ demand while the mining company has refused. “CM has agreed but not the mining company. The company should understand that the old rates do not meet the budget of the truckers,” he stated.
The MGP MLA is determined to get the demands fulfilled arguing that the truckers don’t want to fall for vague assurances. “Last year, the truckers were told to start transportation activities and their demands will be looked into later, but the entire season was completed and the issue is yet to see the light of the day. We do not want it to happen this time,” he claimed.
