After failing to broker peace between truck owners and mine companies on the iron ore transportation rate, Goa Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar impressed upon the need for a solution as it's crucial for resumption of mining in the state.
"Mining activity is at a standstill for so long (following the court-imposed ban, now revoked). The state government has been losing revenue of Rs 1,000 crore annually. We have tried several times to effect an agreement between the truck owners and the mining companies, but our attempts failed," he said while interacting with reporters.
The All Goa Truck Owners Association has asked for a higher rate to transport the ore while the mining companies have expressed their inability to do so, saying it's not feasible due to prevailing conditions in the international market.
"It's high time mining activities resumed. With the ongoing issue, I am left with no face to pressurise or force mine owners to restart mining activity," Parsekar said.
"I appeal to the truck and mine owners to reach a consensus and resolve the issue. If the transportation is delayed by another month, then no mine owners will resume activity."
He was refering to the approaching monsoon during which it's difficult to carry out mining operations.
