QUEPEM: Truck owners have decided to start ore transportation from Monday following Chief Minister Pramod Sawant’s assurance that the rate for transporting ore will be revised within a week of them starting transporting the same.
This was disclosed at the press conference held today jointly by the South Goa Truck Owners Association, Sesa Goa Truck Owners Association and Sanguem Truck Owners Association following two meetings with the Chief Minister.
It may be recalled that the first meeting of the truckers with the chief minister that was organised by PWD Minister Nilesh Cabral had failed and the truckers stood resolute in not starting transporting the ore.
However, Social Welfare Minister Subhash Phaldessai arranged for a second meeting with the chief minister where he reportedly assured to increase the rate once they started transporting the ore.
Sesa Goa Sanguem Truck Owners Association President Vallabh Dalvi said they have decided to start transporting the ore only to respect Chief Minister Pramod Sawant’s assurance and asked all truck owners to repose faith in him.
Besides, he said the Social Welfare Minister has also assured to follow up the matter particularly given the fact that truck owners are in a difficult situation as there has been no business for the last three years.
Saket Bhandari, a truck owner from Sanvordem revealed that besides revision of the rate they were also promised that the Fitness Fee would be reduced from Rs 50 per day to Rs 5 per day.
However, the reduction in Fitness Fee will benefit only about 30 per cent of the truck owners who have got their certificate while the others are still to get the same. Besides, the truckers are also unhappy that they will likely get work for only one month and demanded that the government should take steps to ensure that all the trucks are engaged in the business.
Marcus Pereira of the Sanguem Truck Owners Association said they hoped for the mining business to start full-fledged once again.
