Goa truckers reject CM's offer on ore transportation rates

Goa Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar today failed to broker peace between the striking truck owners and Sesa Iron Ore company, which will further delay resumption of ore exports after the revocation of ban on mining.
Also, a fresh bout of violence was reported in the mining belt where four trucks were attacked by agitators.
The truck owners, in the meeting with the Chief Minister, refused to accept the rate per ton offered by the government after holding consultation with the company, director of mines and geology, and director of transport.
"They were offering us very low rate," Shivdas Madkar, executive member, All Goa Truck Owners Association, said.

AGTOA has demanded Rs 11.27 per ton per kilometre of transportation, while the government offered them rate in three slabs.
"The CM offered us Rs nine per ton per km for one to ten kilometres, Rs 8.50 between eleven to twenty kilometres and Rs eight for 21 kilometres and above," he said.

Meanwhile, violence marred Sesa Iron Ore's fresh attempt to start transport of e-auctioned ore from its mining sites.
At least four trucks were damaged on the way between Codli mining site and Surla jetty this morning, followed by a clash between truck owners and some employees of Sesa Iron Ore at Bicholim in North Goa, police spokesman said.

Sesa Iron Ore, after failing to agree to the demands of truckers, had begun transportation of e-auctioned ore from its Codli and Bicholim mines today.
AGTOA had said it would oppose any attempt to transport cargo if its demand was not met. It also demanded withdrawal of police cases filed against association leaders by Sesa management during the agitation before sitting across the table for negotiations on rates.
"The company refused to agree to our demand and instead tried to forcibly continue the transportation," AGTOA president Nilkant Gawas claimed, adding that members of the association were not involved in violence.

Sesa Iron Ore claimed in a statement that it was abiding by the law but agitators took the law in their hands.