The deadlock between iron ore transporters and mining companies is likely to be resolved by this week, as chief minister Laxmikant Parsekar has decided to offer a reasonable rate acceptable to both the parties.

Parsekar on Monday held a meeting with director of mines and geology and transport director. During the meeting, the chief minister deliberated about the transport rate that can be offered to the transporters to resume mining activities in the state. "I have arrived at a certain conclusion over the transport rate. I will call both mining companies and transporters on Tuesday and offer the rate," Parsekar told TOI, adding that mining should start as the transport rate issue has been dragged for too long. All Goa truck owners association held a meeting with the officials of mining company at Sakhali to discuss the issue of ore transportation rate.

"We had put forward a demand before the company that it should give us the notified rate of 11.10 paisa per tonne per kilometre, 70 trucks to be included for transportation and the company should give statements and make payment every 15 days," association president Nilkant Gawas said, adding the company has agreed to these demands and the message will be conveyed to other truck owners on Tuesday.

Since November 2015, the state government, iron ore transporters and mining companies have been negotiating over the transportation rate, but, no solution could be found. Since December, transporters have stopped iron ore transportation in the state. Even few, untoward incidents were reported in the state as few truck owners ply their trucks on lower rates.

Goa mineral ore exporters association, the main trading body of mine owners, had indicated a 'token' increase in the transportation rate of iron ore to end the impasse between the truck owners and mining companies. Transporters had earlier demanded a rate of 17.93 per tonne per km, which they then reduced to 11.27 per tonne per km when the government requested it.

The chief minister has also contemplated increasing the hours of transporting iron ore by two additional hours. Currently, trucks carrying ore ply for nine hours, starting from 8am to 1pm and 2pm to 6pm. Mining in Goa came to a halt in September 2012 following the Shah Commission report tabled in the parliament. In August, last year, Vedanta limited resume the mining activities in the state. ( Sources: The Times of India)