MAPUSA
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Wednesday assured the Goa Legislative Assembly that he would take up the issue of local job losses and alleged irregularities at Mormugao Port Authority (MPA) with the Central government.
The chief minister said he was already in contact with Union authorities and would personally intervene to find a resolution. “I am in touch with the central minister. I will intervene and try to resolve the problem,” Sawant told the House during discussions on the ongoing unrest at MPA.
The assurance came after Mormugao MLA Sankalp Amonkar raised serious concerns over the livelihood crisis faced by local transporters following the privatisation of berths 9 and 10 at the port.
Amonkar alleged that Goan truck owners and contractors, who were earlier engaged in transportation operations at the port, are now being pushed out in favour of contractors from outside the State, particularly from Tamil Nadu.
“Earlier, local transport associations handled operations at the port. Now, trucks from Tamil Nadu are being brought in, and Goans are suffering,” Amonkar said. “It’s a sensitive issue. If this continues, it will collapse local businesses,” he warned.
Echoing the concerns, Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai alleged that a single transporter has monopolised 90 per cent of operations at the port, sidelining other local contractors. “There used to be 10 transporters operating at MPA. Now, one contractor has cornered nearly all the work. This smells of cronyism,” Sardesai said.
Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao launched a scathing attack on MPA’s functioning, accusing it of operating beyond accountability and intimidating local businesses. “MPA has become a State within a State. Why are they indulging in dadagiri? Locals are being terrorised. How will the CM protect them?” Alemao questioned.
