Team Herald
PANJIM: Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar on Saturday used his Liberation Day address to rubbish allegations that he is favouring the mining companies over other stakeholders and has called for a debate on the mining issue.
“I am being accused of working for the welfare of the mining companies. Why should I? It is not required because they are capable of it. I am making efforts to ensure resolving the truck operators’ crisis and those who have lost their jobs owing to the mining ban,” he said.
Truck owners have been refusing to accept the transportation rate of Rs 8 per tonne per kilometre, as offered by Vedanta-Sesa Goa Resources. They have been demanding a hike in ore transportation rate. A meeting with the North and South Goa truck owners also failed to reach an agreement.
As the truckers remain adamant and refuse to resume transportation until their demand is met, Parsekar hit out at the Opposition for instigating the situation.
“There are many provoking the stakeholders like truckers to resort to strikes, so that mining operations do not resume. The State and all those who earn a living through this activity will suffer,” he said, without naming any person.
He said that with the fall in iron ore price internationally, mining companies are hesitant to continue extraction of ore.
