PANJIM | Jan 07, 2016: The State government has extended ore transportation operations by four hours. Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar on Wednesday said that ore transportation which was limited from 6 am to 6 pm has now been extended up to 10 pm.

Parsekar said it is not necessary for operators to transport ore till 10 pm but if the transportation was not disturbing people then it could go on till that hour.

Saying that the loss due to stoppage of mining in the last over three years has been approximately Rs 1000 crore annually, Parsekar appealed to truck owners and mine operators to accept the rate which he has suggested. “Unless transportation of ore of already resumed mines starts, the remaining mines won’t start. I won’t be able to convince other mine owners to restart mining operations,” Parsekar said.

Pareskar said that the truck owners’ association must cooperate with the government. Speaking further he said that if any individual truck owner is ready to transport ore, the government will support him.

“The government is ready to provide complete protection for truckers who want to start transportation of ore with the new rates and even if any truck owner starts operation below that rate or any company wants to give more rates, government will support to restart it,” Parsekar said.

Parsekar said that the rate he has suggested after meeting both groups is suitable for truck owners and mining companies. “I am no one to dictate the rates, it is my suggestion, I won’t notify the rates” he said.

(Source: http://www.heraldgoa.in/)

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