PONDA
The truckers have objected to the recent notification of the Mines Department to register mining vehicles and machinery to obtain the Radio-Frequency Identification
(RFID) card.
The North Goa Tipper Owners Association (NGTOA) and South Goa Progressive Truck Owners Association (SGPTOA) have appealed to lease holders and truckers not to start fresh mining activities until government discusses the points mentioned in the notification with them.
Addressing a news conference in the city on Thursday, the office bearers of both the associations have accused the government of working against the interest of truckers.
NGTOA president Suresh Desai, Yeshwant Desai, Prakash Gauns, Balsu Desai, Shyam Gavthankar and Sandeep Parab, while Satyavan Gaonkar, Cajetan Fernandes and Laxman Desai from SGPTOA were present for the news conference.
Discussing notification, fixing new rate for transportation and giving relaxation in installation of speed governor are the three demands placed by the associations.
Suresh Desai said rate for fresh mining activities is not fixed. “We demand that the rates should be fixed by the government-appointed committee, in which we will also participate and discuss,” he said. To a query, Desai said they have not demanded any particular rate, but will accept whatever is decided by the committee.
Sandeep Parab said the government has not taken them into confidence before issuing the notification, which was issued on August 31.
According to Parab, RFID card is in addition to Vehicle Transport System (VTS).
“Earlier, we were told that contractors will pay for VTS, but they deducted our money for it. Now, the government is asking to obtain RFID card for which we have to pay extra. The department concerned should clear these points.”
Satyavan Gaokar, SGPTOA secretary, said when the speed of trucks is limited to 40 Kmph by GPS system, what is the need to make compulsion of installing speed governor?
“Speed governor limits the speed of 80 Kmph, while ours is half of it. We don’t want additional burden of speed governor,” he added.
