the goan I network
VASCO
The Goa Barge Owners Association (GBOA) on Monday said the exporter has
assured to unload cargo from their barges within a week, after claiming that 60-odd ore-laden barges have been stranded in the MPT waters on account of a halt in mining activity and transportation.
The Bombay High Court at Goa on March 28 had stayed the transportation of ore already extracted from the mining leases, until the government submitted before it a sworn affidavit stating the reasons behind its decision, after the Director of Mines and Geology refused to
take responsibility for the decision.
Addressing a news conference in the GBOA office in Vasco, GBOA President Raymond D’Sa thanked the government for extending their debt relief scheme and further informed that the exporter had assured to clear the barges within a week.
“The GBOA had written to the exporter and we have full faith that the 60-odd barges laden with iron ore and lying in MPT waters would be cleared soon,” said D’Sa.
Admitting their disappointment with the high court order, D’Sa said: “We should have at least got an opportunity to unload cargo from the 60-odd barges that have been loaded and then the order could have been implemented.”
“We are not carrying any illegal cargo and every cargo is loaded only after a trip sheet and log sheet. When the government has taken such strict measures, how come the cargo in our barges is suddenly termed illegal?”
“The learned additional solicitor general has spoken that the supreme court has directed to stop mining operations by March 15 and that, any cargo excavated till March 15 and whose royalty is paid can be transported. So why are our barges kept on hold?”
D’Sa said the GBOA had written to the exporter to immediately clear their barges to safeguard their vessels.
“Some years back, 3 barges had sunk into waters near MPT Berth 9 under similar weather conditions in April-May and we don’t want to take any risk because weather is getting rough.”
“If it rains and water enters the barges and the cargo gets wet, no one will take the cargo. The barges will be there forever and who will take the risk,” asked D’Sa.
“The exporter has now assured to unload cargo from our barges within a week. If the cargo cannot be delivered to the ship, then the exporter will at least take the barges to his jetty and unload the
cargo.”
“But if this does not happen, we will approach authorities concerned and
probably go to court, but we will ensure that our barges are cleared as early as possible. Besides, our crew is without provisions and water. Crew salaries work out to around Rs 4 lakh per month, besides fuel consumption,” added D’Sa.
