PONDA
The All Goa Truck Owners Association (AGTTA) on Tuesday rejected Vedanta's offer of Rs 10.50 for short distance transportation of iron ore and has stuck to its demand of Rs 11.27 per tonne per kilometre.
Addressing a press conference in the city along with his members, AGTTA president Nilkanth Gawas said they are not ready to ply trucks for less than Rs 11.27.
“The Central budget has given relief to the mining industry by abolishing export duty. Here, they will save money and the prices of iron ore in international market has surged. Why can’t they give 77 paise more to the truckers,” asked Gawas.
Gawas informed that Vedanta officials on Tuesday morning convened a meeting with them at Sonshi-Sattari, which lasted for one hour. “We tried to persuade the officials that the rate the company is offering is a loss-making business for us. We want rate of Rs 11.27 per tonne per km and diesel rate at Rs 39.60,” he said.
It may be recalled that on February 24, the AGTTA had challenged the Vedanta Company to ply a single truck to transport ore and warned the company of consequences if it engaged trucks other than operated by them. Since then, the transportation of Vedanta from Codli to Amona route took a break.
“Wait for more four days. Don’t run your vehicle at lower rates. We will get justice,” Gawas appealed to his members.
According to Gawas, the Vedanta Company has offered them Rs 10.50 upto 10 kms distance trip.
“While Rs 10 is offered for the distance of 20 kms and Rs 9.50 for above 20 kms. We want uniform rate of Rs 11.27 for per tonne per km, and that too, all mines should adopt the same rate,” Gawas said.
“Actually, now the Vedanta Company is in a good position to pay us well. In today's good situation, they will save Rs 1,468.80 on every tonne,” Gawas said.
