PONDA
Hit by constant threats of agitating mining truck operators, Vedanta has now decided to halt all ore transportation activity till the truckers accept its rate of Rs 8.50 per tonne per kilometre.
Vedanta's decision is in response to the All Goa Truck Owners Association (AGTOA), which had decided on Wednesday to keep their trucks off the road till their demand for higher ore transportation rate was met.
Vedanta could transport only 15 ore trips on Thursday as AGTOA members did not engage the trucks for transportation.
Though there was tight security in Usgao, where the agitating truckers used to camp, Vedanta couldn’t transport more than 15 trucks of ore mainly due to fear among the willing truckers.
According to Vedanta, truck operators willing to transport ore for Vedanta were concerned that their vehicles could be damaged by agitators.
The AGTOA members had decided to damage the trucks, if they were found plying with ore.
“If Vedanta continues transportation without considering our rates, then damage the trucks, but don’t get caught by the police,” an AGTOA member had told other truck operators on Wednesday.
Their threats had caused alarm among the truckers and as a result, nobody was ready to ply their trucks on Thursday.
Presently, Vedanta has offered Rs 46.61 for diesel and Rs 8.50 per tonne per km, but the truckers have demanded Rs 39.6 for diesel and Rs 11.27 per tonne per km.
“We will not offer anything more than Rs 8.50. We will welcome those who want to engage their trucks,” Joseph Coelho, operations head of Vedanta, told The Goan.
Asked if they would shut ore transportation for want of trucks, Coelho replied: “If trucks are not available, then how can we transport ore? Our truck drivers were threatened on Thursday. Hence, there was fear among them, which forced us to stop transportation.”
“If at this juncture, mining business is obstructed for such reasons, then everyone will suffer in the industry,” he added.
“However, we will welcome those who can engage their trucks with a rate offered by the company,” Coelho said.
