Date | Oct 17, 2017:

Transportation rates proposed recently by the Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar for iron ore transportation for this season are affordable for truckers under the current circumstances and ore transportation should start as early as possible in the state with that rate, claimed Mining Machinery Owners Association president and truck owner Sandeep Parab during a press briefing held at Ponda on Monday.

Sandeep Parab alleged that the All Goa Truck Owners Association (AGTOA) president Nilkant Gawas is misguiding the truckers in the state and trying to benefit the truck owners who have many trucks while the chief minister is trying to provide equal benefit for all truckers.

“Truckers will surely get 10 to 15 per cent rise in their income with present rates of Rs 12.50 per tonne per km proposed by the Chief Minster,” said Parab.

Even though it is not very good hike, rates are affordable enough to run the business in current situation and truckers should agree.

Along with rates monthly GPS charges and allowing trucks only from mining belt are major relief for the truckers and this move should be appreciated, he added.

Parab further said that presently mining companies are asked to transport 20 million tonne first and then they will be given permission for more. But if truckers don’t cooperate and mining companies fail to get 20 million tonne and increase in the mining cap will be halted.

It may be recalled that the Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar has proposed Rs 12.50 for 10 kms, Rs 12 for 11 to 19 kms, Rs 11.50 for 20 kms and above kms, with the current rate of diesel as the fresh iron ore transportation rate for this season. But AGTOA has rejected the offer and has decided not to start ore transportation until their demand for Rs 14 per tonne per km rate is not fulfilled by the state.

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