Post News Network
Bhubaneswar, August 10: The state government may reconsider the recently announced maximum freight rates or ceiling prices for mineral transportation in five mineral-bearing districts.
The state government had fixed the ceiling prices for mineral transportation July 8 in order to prevent truck owners from charging excess charge for transporting minerals in and outside Angul, Jajpur, Kenojhar, Sundargarh and Jagatsinghpur districts.
While the ceiling price for six-wheeler trucks was pegged at `6.40 per tonne per kilometre, the rate for 10-wheeler trucks was fixed at `5.10 per tonne per km. Likewise, the freight rate for 12-wheelers was pegged at `4.10 per tonne per km. The maximum rates would be charged for mineral transportation for more than 100 km.
Although the East Zone Mining Association welcomed the decision, Keonjhar Truck Association and Sundargarh Tipper Association have opposed the move stating that the current freight price was not suitable for them insofar as maintenance of vehicles, loading, labour charges, road condition among others are concerned.
“The recommendations of district level technical committee were not taken into consideration while fixing the ceiling rates,” said the general secretary of the Truck Association in Keonjhar. The state government must reconsider its decision and warned of stir, he added.
When asked, commerce and transport minister Ramesh Chandra Majhi said they might consider the demands of the associations if they receive an official request in this regard.
“We haven’t received anything in this regard from those associations. However, we may reconsider their demands if we receive a request,” Majhi told Orissa Post.
