Now, freight rate decision for mining trucks rests on govt

PANJIM, NOV 19
With mining companies and truck owners failing to reach consensus, the ball is entirely in State government’s court to decide freight rates issue.
The meeting called by the State government appointed committee over freight rates headed by Transport Director Arun Desai, once again remained inconclusive as the mining companies failed to provide the offered rates as against demanded by the truck owners.
The committee, which will be meeting on November 24, will be preparing detail report taking into consideration the demands of the truck owners, which will be later forwarded to the state government for the approval.
“As the mining companies failed to give the reports over offered rates, the committee has decided to meet on next Wednesday and take the decision,” All Goa Mining Truck Owners Association (AGMTOA), president Nilkhant Gawas said after the meeting.
He said that the association has full faith in the government and believes that the decision will come in their favour.
Today’s meeting; fourth one in last one month, was attended by various representatives from mining companies along with AGMTOA members.
The association, which has been demanding four times hike in the freight rates, has also threatened that government will have to face the consequences if they do not pay heed to their demand.
The committee during its last meeting had directed mining companies to present a detail report today over the rates that they are offering to the truck owners. However, the companies remained silent over the matter.
The state government’s restriction over tonnage and timing had made it difficult for the truck owners to conduct the business as the rates paid too are very less.
Currently, companies like Fomento Private Limited pays Rs 8 per tonne per kilometre. While Sesa Goa pays Rs 6 per tonne as against Dempo and Salgaoncar who pays Rs 5 per tonne per kilometre.