Barge owners plan to shift outside Goa

PTI, PANAJI | 11 October 2012 23:49 IST

Uncertainty over revival of mining activity in Goa in near future is forcing barge operators to scout for new locations outside the state.

This is evident from the steady flow of applications the department of ports, which is authorised to register and regulate vessels, is receiving from barge owners seeking a no-objection certificate (NOC) to move out of the coastal state.

Vessels that used to do brisk business by ferrying ore from jetties to harbours when mining trade flourished in the state are now looking for business in states like Maharashtra and Gujarat. Captain of ports James Braganza said his department received 20 applications so far and expects the number to rise in coming days.

The iron ore export industry in the state has been reeling under crisis after the Justice MB Shah Commission pointed out several illegalities in the mining sector.

The Supreme Court, in its recent verdict, has halted export and extraction of ore in the state, pending the report of the centrally-empowered committee (CEC).

All Goa Barge Owners Association (AGBOA) President Atul Jadhav said the industry was going through the worst phase as there is uncertainty looming large over their survival.

With barges berthed at the dockyards waiting for the mining season to begin, the operators are faced with how to repay whopping Rs 335 crore loan they have borrowed from various banks.

"We fear that the banks will start the proceedings to recover the money by taking away our assets," Jadhav said.


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Years ago, during an interview at HLL in Mumbai I was asked: what is the largest industry of Goa? And I, master of economics with BM, EM, EIM and all other letters after my name, instantly said: Tourism.

Wrongggg! Are you really a Goan? From Goa? One of the five penelist shot back.

More than for getting it wrong, i hated myself for giving him him the satisfication to question my foolish/Goan-ness.

Today, with xtra-clean CM, Supreme Court, Baba Ramdev, Subramanian Swamy, the media and even the British parliament unearthing the 'Goan mud', I am sure no Goan will be worng anymore -- because the pest controllers are SINKING THE RAT-INFESTED SHIP. Wow! What a wisdom.

- Xamba, Muscat | 13 th October 2012 17:03

 

Barges shifting out of Goa is not new. It happenned earlier. Businessman in search of increasing earnings decides.

Other mining contractors also moved for tenders outside Goa when business was not good or when they want to increase and expand business.

Whenever shortage is created due to less barges or machinery same owners act like extortionist and took heavy charges in diferrent way. people should remember this history.

How you do business is entire choice of those in buisness. Do not ask subsidy from tax payer money and loan writeoff etc. Each one who has taked loan can talk to his fianacer for change in payment terms.

When a businessman make large profit does it go to employee, bank? Everyone take their share depending on time.

We should call for stop of all this crying(crocodile tears) now.

- savita naik, margao | 12 th October 2012 10:38

 

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