THE GOAN NETWORK
VASCO
Hopeful that mining activity would resume in the State, the new Goa Barge Owners Association (GBOA) president William D’Costa has said his association would seek relief from barge tax.
The chairman of the nomination committee for 2019-20 submitted his report to the GBOA, informing that 7 members had been elected unopposed. The seven members met on April 23 and GBOA office-bearers for 2019-20 were elected.
The office-bearers are William D’Costa (president), Osric Cabral (vice president), Noel Carvalho (honorary secretary), Rahul Naik (treasurer), Prabhakar Naik, Ramakant Khadapkar & Mayuresh Arolkar.
“As elections for the GBOA executive committee were not held since June 2018, all affairs had come to a standstill,” said D’Costa, while addressing a news conference in the city.
“As a result, GBOA members faced innumerable problems especially pertaining to pending loans, barge tax, etc. No meetings of the GBOA Executive Committee have been conducted since August 2018.”
He said barge owners have been put to immense financial problems owing to stoppage of mining since 2012.
“The subsequent lifting of the ban brought some temporary relief. But the off-take of ore was less. Since February 2018, total stoppage of mining/exports have hit barge owners and have made barge operations totally unviable. The new executive committee will strive to address problems faced by barge owners,” said D’Costa.
“We are hopeful that mining will resume in the State. We are also looking at a new import cargo that could fetch us business in the near future.”
D’Costa said the GBOA Executive Committee would work with the central Government, State government, the Mineral Ore Exporters Association and other authorities to strive for commencement of mining in Goa to ensure the survival of the barge industry.
“Inland Water Transport industry in Goa is dying and must be revived. From 104 vessels in 2012, the number of operating barges in Goa owned by GBOA members as on date is only 76. Barge owners were compelled to resort to desperate measures to meet their liabilities such as scrapping, distress sale of barges,” said D’Costa.
He said efforts would also be made to seek waiver on barge tax. “Some barge owners still have loan liabilities. Loanees of Co-op Banks are especially in the lurch as these banks have not extended any relief as done by nationalised banks.”
“The loan issue will be taken up by GBOA and we will seek relief from barge tax payment as promised by Goa government. I assure to also take up pending issues and appeal to all members to set aside their differences and come together to unitedly resolve and ensure the survival of barge industry in Goa,” added D’Costa.
