PONDA: Even though Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar finalised ore rates for transportation, Vedanta could not start its ore transportation due to resistance from united truck owners.
Showcasing their unity, for a rate hike, over 1000 truck owners gathered in front of main gate of Kodlim Mines of Vedanta on Monday morning and protested.
Around 97 police personnel were deployed to man the main gate of Vedanta to maintain law and order. Subsequently, there was a meeting between a delegation of truck owners and Vedanta official Joseph Coelho and others in police presence.
However, the issue could not be settled and talks failed as company officials remained firm on rate decided by chief minister and rejected alternatives suggested by truck owners, who asked for Rs 12.50 flat rate per tonne per km from loading to unloading point with diesel at Rs 52 per litre or a rate hike of Rs 14 per tonne per km and diesel at Rs 58 per litre at market price.
With both parties remaining firm on their demands and truck owners bent on continuing their agitation, all eyes are now on the chief minister, as to whether he can find a solution or provides police protection to Vedanta for ore transportation.
The truck owners delegation included Dharbandora Truck Owners Association President Balaji Gawas, South Goa Truck Owners Association secretary Satyawan Naik, Savordem Sarpanch Sandeep Pauskar, Dabal Kirlpal Sarpanch Ramakant Gaonkar. Dharbandora taluka Mamlatdar Laxmikant Curttikar, Savordem Police Inspector Ravindra Desai were also present for meeting. The mining company officials said around 1000 workers in their company will be unemployed if ore transportation was stopped.
The truck owners too argued that truck owners families too would be affected if ore transportation job was not given to the affected truck owners.
Along with police officials Sanvordem PI Ravindra Desai, Quepem Police Inspector Pravin Gawas and Canacona Police Inspector Rajendra Prabhu were present at the gate of Vedanta with around 97 police personnel.
However, the truck owners launched their day-long agitation peacefully and will continue the protest from Tuesday until their demand were met.
