Team Herald
VASCO: The Goa Barge Owners Association (GBOA) on Monday demanded waiver of 30 percent on the export duty so as to support the export of low grade iron ore from Goa.
While stating that they are not wilful defaulters, GBOA demanded that the state government should extend the One Time Settlement (OTS) scheme by another three months i.e. till March 31, 2018, so that the barge owners can clear their One Time Settlement proposals. Presently, the OTS scheme will officially end on December 31, 2017. A delegation of barge owners will soon meet Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar with a plea seeking relief.
“We all are facing severe hardships. Though mining has started, there is no export taking place. Before court action against illegal mining, the iron ore export from Goa was 54.5 million tonnes in 2012. Later, when mining resumed, the export in Oct – November 2016 was 2.84 million tonnes, which further collapsed to 0.68 million tonnes for the same period in the current year. It is 75% drop in exports to corresponding export compared from previous year and this proves that the industry has failed miserably to pick up to its sustainable point. We therefore endorse and support the cause taken up proposing to seek waiver of 30% on export duty so that exporters can start operations and we barge owners and others are dependent directly or indirectly on mining for survival,” said Goa Barge Owners Association President Raymond De Sa, while addressing a press conference at Goa Barge Owners Association office in Vasco.
He said, “From 360, the number of barges has reduced to 180 and with the 20 million tonnes per annum we are making only 20 to 30 trips. Recently, Goa Foundation has approached Apex Court seeking reduction in the cap on mining from mines in Goa from current 20 MT to 12 MT. If this happens then the industry would collapse. In deference, we urge that 30% export duty be waived off”.
Demanding that that One Time Settlement scheme deadline be extended, he said, “Goa Government’s One Time Settlement scheme will end on December 31, 2017. We demand that the same be extended till March 31, 2018 as we all have to pay our loans. We are not wilful defaulters but the loan accounts of barge owners became NPAs. Now, if accounts are NPAs and if no bank is funding, then how do we borrow money to pay our loans. Therefore, some efforts have to be made by state government to see that some nodal agency is appointed to take our loans,” he added.
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GBOA to request CM on forming rules for conversion of barges
The Goa Barge Owners’ Association (GBOA) on Monday claimed that they would soon meet Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar to discuss various issues plaguing the barge industry and will request him to form rules for the conversion of barges so that the existing barges in Goa can be converted as per specification of coastal shipping.
“Presently, we are transporting mono cargo which is ore but our barges if converted can be utilised for transporting cargo such as cement, wheat, coal, steel, wood-chips and containers. Earlier, we had requested the Central government that our barges which are operating in Goa be allowed to come on the coast. We only need to do convert our barges as per the specification of coastal shipping for which we are ready, but the only thing is that State government has to form rules for the same. We therefore will take up this issue with the Chief Minister. The government also needs to build/ develop/ modify certain jetties so that such cargo can be discharged,” said Atul Jadhav, former president and current executive committee member of GBOA.
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Declare Zuari, Mandovi Rivers as national waterways: Association
The Goa Barge Owners Association (GBOA) on Monday demanded that the important rivers in Goa including Mandovi and Zuari etc be declared as national waterways.
“GBOA is already on record that rivers in Goa be declared as national waterways because they assume national importance. With this, the government of Goa will not have to spend any money on the maintenance of the rivers as the control over the rivers should be with Captain of Ports. The jetties that are required for tourism and for other commercial activity including container cargo movement etc or any river-based activity then it is Central government, which will spend money on the development of rivers and not state government,” said Atul Jadhav.
