the goan I network
PONDA
The truckers from Dharbandora mining belt on Sunday unanimously decided to continue their agitation against the Vedanta Company demanding increase in ore transportation rate.
The truckers have decided to block the transportation on Monday, if Vedanta tries to transport ore.
Sanguem MLA Prasad Gaonkar, Sanvordem MLA Deepak Pawaskar, Sanvordem Sarpanch Sandeep Pawaskar, Kirpal Dabal Deputy Sarpanch Shashikant Gaonkar, Dharbandora Taluka Truck Association president Vinayak alias Balaji Gawas, Jitendra Naik and others were present for the meeting at Kalsai Dabal.
The stalemate over ore transportation rates continued, after Vedanta officials rejected the requests for an increase in rates, as demanded by the truck operators.
Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar had convened a joint meeting in Panaji on Saturday to resolve differences between the truckers and Vedanta officials over ore transportation rate. The meeting remained inconclusive as both the parties remained firm on their stand. Hence, truckers convened a meeting on Sunday to decide future course of action.
Earlier, the chief minister had fixed a rate of Rs 12.5 for below 10 kms, Rs 12 for 11-19 kms, Rs 11.5 for above 20 kms, besides the current rate of diesel.
The truckers have however, rejected the rate fixed by Parrikar and insisted on an overall rate of Rs 12.5 per tonne per km (PTPK) along with a flat diesel rate of Rs 52 for ore transportation.
Speaking at the meeting, MLA Gaonkar said unity is a must when such agitation is started. "This belt have no other business option. We are fully dependent on mining activities. Hence, the government should consider our demands," Gaonkar said.
"I am supporting this agitation. Let us do a successful agitation. MLA Nilesh Cabral should be with us. Let us not get divided over the issue," he added.
MLA Pawaskar said he will request the chief minister to withdraw the police protection sought by Vedanta. "Vedanta officials are not ready to listen to anything. They should respect our voice," said Pawaskar.
Balaji Gawas also spoke on the occasion.
Gaonkar: Mining belt can change political scenario
PONDA: Sanguem MLA Prasad Gaonkar, while supporting the truckers' agitation, has warned to bring a change in political scenario in the State if the demand of truckers are not met.
The truckers meeting at Kalsai-Dabal on Sunday took a political turn by hitting out at Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar and Narendra Sawaikar.
MLA Gaonkar said the government should play a vital role to bring happiness on faces of the truckers. "The population in this mining belts can change the political scenario of Goa and we will do it," stated Gaonkar.
Gawas said: "South Goa MP Sawaikar should not enter Dharbandora taluka for election campaign, as he is misguiding the people. Sawaikar is telling some section that truckers are into other business. He should tell which business we do. He should not misguide people," Gawas said.
