GIVING TRANSPORTATION CONTRACTS TO OUTSIDERS
MORMUGAO: The All Goa Lorry Owners Association, Transport Association, and Tipper Truck Associations on Wednesday have raised strong objections against outsiders being given transportation contracts at the Mormugao Port Authority (MPA), claiming it is depriving locals of livelihood opportunities and causing huge revenue losses to the Goa government.
Speaking to reporters, Shrikant Chari, President of the All Goa Lorry Owners Association, criticized the company handling wood chip cargo, which arrived at MPA after eight years, for neglecting local transporters.
“We were happy that the MPA got new cargo, but we are disappointed because 99% of transporters appointed are from other states. The slogan ‘Vocal for Local’ has been ignored, and Goan transporters have been sidelined. Other ports like Mangalore and Jaigarh have rules ensuring 100% preference for local transporters, but MPA lacks such regulations,” said Chari.
He further pointed out that the Motor Vehicle Act, Rule 145 of MV Rules 1991, mandates that transportation agents must be registered in Goa, which outsider transporters have failed to do. This, he claimed, bypasses necessary approvals, avoids local taxes, and results in GST revenue losses for the state.
” Whenever we raise bills and the company pays GST, the state government gets 50 percent share but these operators from other states file GST in their state and this is a benefit for their states. They work here and benefit their state while destroying our livelihoods and cause huge revenue loss to our state ” said Chari
Local transporter Vasim Shaikh revealed that despite submitting quotations in consultation with all stakeholders, the company never responded.
“We waited for their response, but the company has already begun transportation with 30 outsider transporters and is appointing 20 more. The MPA already has limited business, and whenever new cargo arrives, locals are neglected. Our businesses support many livelihoods, including drivers, cleaners, puncture shop owners, and mechanics. If this continues, Goan businesses will collapse,” said Shaikh.
He added that local transporters suffer freight losses since wood chips are a light cargo, allowing only 15 tons per 25-ton truck, while the company fails to consider additional costs such as salaries, EMIs, and route expenses.
Shaikh confirmed that the transporters had met Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant to demand that maximum business at MPA be reserved for Goans. They plan to meet him again next week to highlight how outsiders are benefiting while Goans struggle.
Hemant Shetgaonkar of the Tipper Truck Association warned that transporters would be forced to protest on the streets if they continued to be deprived of business.
“Private companies have started bringing in their own huge dumpers, replacing Goan transporters who have been in this trade for generations. If this situation is not resolved immediately, we will be left with no choice but to agitate on a large scale,” said Shetgaonkar.
The transport associations have urged the Chief Minister’s immediate intervention to safeguard Goan businesses and ensure that local transporters get priority at MPA.