PANAJI: Coming out with strict guidelines on mining ore transportation, the State government has decided not to make any changes in the rates for transportation of ore. Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar has strongly stated that transporters who do not agree to the rates are free not to transport ore. He has, however, warned that those who violate rules and create disruption resulting in law and order situation shall be deregistered from mining transportation.
The decisions were taken at a meeting of mining stakeholders including truck owners, representatives of Goa Mineral Ore Exporters Association (GMOEA), mining companies, officials of Directorate of Mines and Geology and MLAs Rajesh Patnekar, Pravin Zantye, Nilesh Cabral, Deepak Pauskar, Prasad Gaonkar, chaired by Parrikar held on Tuesday. As per government assessment, there are nearly 6,000 trucks carrying out transportation of ore, of which nearly 1000 are outside the mining routes.
Speaking to media persons, Parrikar informed, "These rates are reasonable rates. If someone (truck owner) wants higher rates, he need not operate. There is no compulsion to operate."
The meeting resolved to permit ore transportation from 6 am to 7 pm with stoppage of transportation from 7:30 am to 8:30 am and from 1 pm to 2 pm on account of school timings. The maximum speed limit will be revised to 45 km/hr from current one of 40 km/hr.
"Unless there are existing Memorandum of Understanding or arrangements between lease owners and transporters, the transportation rates on other routes would be Rs 12.50 per km below 10 kms, Rs 12 per km from 10 mm to 20 km and Rs 11.50 per km above 20 kms."
"As far as practical, one truck per family will be accommodated of the truck owner residing on transportation route. The trucks registered will be categorised according to routes of operation and leases where they are operated", he informed.
Nonetheless, aiming at providing some relief to ore transporters, Parrikar informed that the annual fees of GPS will be deducted on a monthly basis.
"Rs 8,000 which was being deducted a year will be now deducted on a monthly basis. Another demand by the truckers has been considered, though it is not granted final approval. The road tax payable by the truck owners to the RTO will be considered for quarterly payment instead of annual payment", he informed.
Parrikar has also said that he would hold a review meeting in the month of December to sort out any issues which crop up during November to ensure smooth operation of transportation activities.
"There are many complexities involved and problems have cropped up because there is a cap on ore extraction and the number of trucks is more", he informed.
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RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED
* Ore transportation to be permitted from 6 am to 7 pm
* Stoppage from 7:30 am to 8:30 am and from 1 pm to 2 pm on account of school timings
* The maximum speed limit will be revised to 45 km/hr from current one of 40 km/hr
* One truck per family will be accommodated
* Annual fees of Rs 8000 for GPS will be deducted on a monthly basis
* Trucks registered will be categorised according to routes of operation
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TRANSPORTATION RATES
Distance Rates
Above 20 Km Rs 11.50 per km
Below 10 Kms Rs 12.50 per km
From 10 Km to 20 Km Rs 12 per km
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