Team Herald
PANJIM: Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar expressed concern over the future of the mining industry this season as many mine owners are not keen to resume activities due to the fall in international ore prices.
“Many mine owners are not keen on restarting mining due to the low international market rate. If this continues, it will be as losing this season,” he said.
The CM denied there was any law and order situation at Codli where truck operators have stopped transportation activities demanding a raise in transportation charges. “There is no law and order problem there. I will speak to the villagers,” he said.
At present, Parrikar has ordered suspension of transportation activities in the village until the issue is resolved.
He also claimed that a misunderstanding was leading to the crisis and he has asked to restart the old Dempo mines through Sesa Goa.
Parrikar also questioned how Goan truck drivers would lose jobs when nearly 80 percent of the truck owners – who are Goans – have employed non-Goan as the drivers. There are only around 600 Goan truck drivers, he said adding that he cannot intervene beyond limit as it is a business between truck and mine owners.
