OFF THE ROAD
Ore transportation from Codli to Amona closed on Saturday morning
Large number of truckers gather at Tisk-Usgao and stage a rally in the area
Demand a rate of Rs 17.63 per tonne per kilometre to transport the new ore
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PONDA
A day after a mining truck was set ablaze and three other trucks were stoned, members of All Goa Truck Owners Association (AGTOA) staged a rally from Tisk-Usgao to Pale-Surla on Saturday to demand a hike in ore transportation rates.
The agitation by truck operators had taken a violent turn on Friday and the police had resorted to a mild lathicharge to disperse the protesters, leaving one injured in the lathicharge.
Though ore transportation from Codli to Amona was closed on Saturday morning, a large number of truckers gathered at Tisk-Usgao and staged a rally in the area. They have demanded a rate of Rs 17.63 per tonne per kilometre to transport the new ore.
“The BJP was responsible for suspension of mining activities in Goa and now when mining has resumed, the truckers are suffering due to a rate issue. We will intensify our agitation till the government decides on the rate and gives us justice,” said AGTOA President Nilkanth Gawas.
Alleging illegalities in the mining business, Gawas complained that the government had not bothered to keep check on these illegalities.
“Laxmikant Parsekar is the chief minister of this State and not only of one particular mining company. He should give us justice,” Gawas added.
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Understand problems mining industry is facing: CM
PONDA: Disapproving the violent agitation at Pale on Friday, Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar has asked the truck operators to understand the ground realities confronting the mining industry.
Speaking at a function in Usgao on Saturday, Parsekar bluntly stated that “agitating on the roads and fighting is wrong.”
“The truckers should understand the problems mining industry is facing due to a fall in rates in the international market. Agitating on the roads and fighting is wrong. The stakeholders should know the facts,” Parsekar said.
