VALPOI
The decision was taken at a special meeting organised at Honda on Tuesday evening.
The AGTOA unanimously resolved to demand a hike in transportation rate from Rs 10.27 to Rs 24 per tonne per km.
Speaking at the meeting, AGTOA President Nilkanth Gawas appealed to all association members to remain united to seek justice for their survival in the business. "Political leaders are responsible for creating a rift in the organisation, but they will not succeed," he said.
Discussing the issue of transportation rates, the members claimed that while diesel prices had been increasing since the last 10 years, the ore transportation rates had remained the same. They also unanimously resolved to pursue the matter with the government.
The members raised other issues like implementation of GPS system and speed governors.
A member, Suresh Madkar, sought to know why authorities were penalizing truck owners Rs 50/day, if the RTO fitness of a truck had lapsed. "Is there any such rule penalising truck owner," asked Madkar.
and demanded that the transport department reconsiders its decision.
A truck owner, Shivanand Naik, claimed that while the government had been collecting tax from truck owners and mining firms, it had neglected the demands of truck owners.
It was also decided to submit a memorandum to authorities highlighting their demands.
