Closure of mines in the state has badly affected variousstakeholders who were dependent on mining business.
The worst affected are the truck and barge owners who have ahuge liability of loans on their shoulders.
Currently there are around 22,000 trucks and 300 plus bargeswhich are engaged in the business
“We have around Rs 150 crore liabilities by way of loans.Our association has received 263 applications wherein an amount of Rs 22.44crore has to be paid to various banks,” said Nilkant Gawas, President of AllGoa Truck Owners Association.
He further adds: “Both the Centre and the State governmentare fooling us. Our respective MLAs should now take initiative in providingpackages for all those who are suffering due to the mining ban.”
“We are also going to request all mine owners that theyshould pay our loans until mining resumes and once resumed they can recover themonies from us,” Gawas added.
According to the president of All Goa Barge OwnersAssociation, Atul Jadhav barge ownershave around Rs 350 crore which has to be paid to banks in terms of loans.
Few banks have already started recovering, he added
Principal Secretary of mines, R.K Verma said: “No decisionhas been taken regarding paying off loans of truck, barge owners etc. We areexploring all possibilities and so far no decision has been taken. We have toexamine and compile all data together. Nobody knows what is the exact amount ofloss. A committee is formed under some MLAs who are looking into variousaspects.”
When asked about alternatives for those who are affectedbesides giving them financial aid, he said: “Obviously if mining is not therewe have to find an alternative. We have to keep our fingers crossed, as to whenmining will start. Till then those who are affected will have to find othertraditional occupations or possibly start coal transportation business at MPTor some other business like transporting ore from other states.”
