VASCO
Former GCCI logistics head and Vasco-based barge owner Chandrakant Gawas on Friday said that the State government could persuade the Centre to use the 2017 court decision to resume temporary mining from 88 mining leases, while a concrete decision is being worked out to resume mining activity.
Speaking to reporters, Gawas said in 2017, the court had issued permission for about 20 million tonnes of iron ore from 88 mining leases.
"Stakeholders like us barge owners, machinery owners and truck owners along with others had made huge investments, but the matter was taken to court and stopped again, leaving us in huge debts and no business.”
“The government can take responsibility for these 88 mining leases and convince the Centre to start these leases using legal procedures. This will help quick resumption of mining activity,” said Gawas.
“If these 88 mining leases are started, we will get some chance to earn our livelihood and repay our mounting debts from national and cooperative banks. We appeal to Chief Minister Pramod Sawant to take up this case and persuade the Centre on this issue.”
Gawas said the barge owners had spent a huge sum of money to repair 50 barges, with each barge costing around Rs 60-70 lakh.
“If these barges don't get business, we will fall in deep trouble because creditors have started to come to our houses,” said Gawas.
