PANAJI: As many as 84 truck-owners having around 100 trucks overall have signed with Vedanta Ltd showing their commitment towards re-starting of mining. These truck owners are willing to negotiate the rate at which they move iron ore with Vedanta. This comes at a time when All Goa Truck Owners Association (AGTOA) has resolved to keep their trucks off road. AGTOA is demanding fixation of Rs 17.63 per tonne per km rate to move freshly mined iron ore. This stand-off has lasted for months now.
But, fortunately for Vedanta and the entire mining industry, few truckers have shown willingness to sit around the table with miners to negotiate the rate. Mohan Gaonkar, a trucker from South Goa, said, “Mining industry is going through a very bad time. Iron ore price in international market has crashed. There is still 10% export duty on iron ore. Given all this, some of us feel that we should negotiate the rate with mining companies in the interest of re-starting mining. We are willing to come down to Rs 9 per tonne, per km rate which for us is a no-profit-no-loss situation, but it will help in re-starting mining. We may increase the rate tomorrow if price increases in international market or if central government withdraws 10% export duty.”
Sources even revealed that the mining industry across the world is cutting cost of production and cost of logistics. However, in Goa, the truck association is demanding a high rate, which will put a lot of pressure on mining companies at a time when they are staring at losses, if they sell ore.
An official spokesperson of Vedanta said, “As a responsible organization, our motto is to work with all the stakeholders of the industry for a win-win situation. Each stakeholder is important and they are the wheels that keep the business running. A break down in a single wheel will create a breakdown in the machine. We value the contribution of everyone involved in the business at every step, from the mine to the port. Our noble intention as an organization is to sail through taking all of them with us. It is pertinent for everyone to coexist and work in harmony in current market scenario such as to benefit mutually for survival as the market share has shrunk. A large population of Goa depends directly and indirectly on mining for livelihood. We cannot allow an industry that can contribute so much to the well-being of hinterland population of Goa to wilt. It has to be nurtured and taken ahead”
A month back few truckers had physically assaulted some staff-members of Vedanta because they wanted to stop movement of iron ore. Since then, the situation has improved as a number of truckers have signed with Vedanta showing commitment towards the industry.
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POOR RESPONSE TO
STRIKE CALL BY
TRUCKERS ASSN
>> See pg 4
