BICHOLIM: The North Goa Truck Owners’ Association (NGTOA) on Wednesday set a deadline of March 15 for the government to solve the mining issue.
The NGTOA has threatened to agitate from April 1 if the government fails to solve the mining issue.
Addressing a news conference here in the city, NGTOA President Mahesh Gawas stated that their patience is exhausted and now it is time for the BJP government to act rather than just give assurances on the mining issue.
“It is almost three years now that the BJP government is in power in the State and BJP had assured that the mining problem would be immediately solved, but nothing has happened. The government at the Centre and the State government should resolve the mining problem,” said Gawas.
“Even earlier we had set a deadline, but following assurance by the government we did not go ahead with our agitation; however, this time, if the issue is not solved and mining is not resumed, we will resort to a violent agitation,” said Gawas.
Sandeep Parab, member of the association, also came down heavily on the government. “The government comes out with schemes during the elections, assures to solve the mining issue, but once they come to power they fail to keep their word,” said Parab and alleged that there is gross misappropriation of power and fraud even in the e-auction of iron ore.
“Contracts are given to only a few contractors who are close to the politicians and we demand that the transportation contract should be given to the association,” demanded Parab.
“We had asked for an appointment with the chief minister on February 2, but we are yet to get the appointment,” he claimed.
Association Vice President Suresh Desai, secretary Prakash Gawas and others were also present at the news conference.
