Team Herald
PANJIM: The truck owners, involved in ferrying iron ore, stood divided, as State Government on Friday finalised hike in transportation charges by Rs 2 per tonne per km. Considering the falling international iron ore prices and the annual production cap limit of 20 million tonnes, Government, trying to balance the business, zeroed upon Rs 12.50 per tonne per km for first 10 kms, Rs 12 per tonne for 11 to 20 kms and Rs 11.50 per tonne for 20 kms and above.
Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar has decided to reintroduce the scheme providing financial package to the truck owners, whose vehicles fail to get the business during the current mining season. Under the scheme, which will be in force for one year, the maximum benefit is restricted to only two trucks — Rs 8000 per month for the first truck and Rs 4000 for the second truck.
The truck owners were divided on the proposed transportation rates, which will be revised in March, 2018 or after Supreme Court decision to hike the annual production cap (whichever is earlier).
While the North Goa Truck Owners Association (NGTOA) accepted the proposal, the South Goa Progressive Truck Owners Association (SGPTA) declined to accept the rates as well as the financial package while demanding Rs 14 per tonne per km.
On Friday afternoon, Parrikar chaired a high level meeting to settle the issues surrounding between the mining companies and truck owners on the iron ore transportation charges. The meeting was attended by Speaker of the State Assembly and Sankhlim MLA Dr Pramod Sawant, Sanvordem MLA Deepak Pawaskar, Director Mines Prasanna Acharya, representative of Goa Mineral Ore Exporters Association (GMOEA), officials of mining companies like Sesa Goa, Fomento, Salgaocar and the truck owners.
Speaking to media persons post meeting, Pawaskar confirmed that government has finalised amicable transportation charges by giving Rs 2 per tonne per kms hike. “We cannot consider the truck owners demand of Rs 14 per tonne per km as we have to see the overall situation of the business. The international market prices are at decline and also the production is limited to only 20 million tonnes annually. Under such situation, we have to ensure profit to both — mining firms and truck owners,” he explained.
There are over 7000 trucks registered with the Directorate of Mines and Geology (DMG) for transportation. “It is not possible to give business to all. Two-three trucks per family, that is if it is registered in different names, will be allowed to transport,” Pawaskar said hopping that the truck owners will agree to it.
“Those who fail to get business, government will reopen the financial package to them, wherein Rs 8000 will be given towards first truck,” he explained.
The meeting also decided that the trucks would be charged Rs 550 per month as rent towards installing Global Positioning System (GPS) while in operation, as against the earlier Rs 8000 yearly. The government has also set restriction on transportation, wherein no trucks would be allowed to ply during the school opening and closing time. The trucks can ply between 6.00 am to 7.00 pm.
The SGPTA declined to accept the proposed rates demanding that they are firm on their decision for Rs 14 per tonne per km. “We are not happy with the rates proposed. Also government decision to allow only 80 per cent route trucks is also not acceptable. We don’t want any financial package; we want business for all trucks,” the association treasurer Cajetan Fernandes said.
The Association has around 4000 trucks registered. “We will agitate, as we do not agree to these decisions,” he said.
On the other hand NGTOA has accepted the rates stating “what is important at this stage is activities to commence”. “Government has not accepted our demand but has given some relief. We cannot keep trucks off road for long. We want some business and hence we have agreed to the government proposal,” they said.
