Team Goemkarponn
VERNA:The All Goa Excavator Owners Association held a press conference at Verna IDC on Saturday morning, raising serious concerns over the illegal transportation of mud from Verna IDC even after warnings from Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant.
The association stated that outsiders from neighboring states have entered the business, affecting local excavator operators financially. Many local operators who recently invested in new machines are struggling to pay their bank installments due to a sharp decline in work opportunities.
According to the association, these outside operators not only dominate the business but also engage in illegal practices, including excavation, transportation, and sale of mud without paying royalties to the government or the Verna IDC. Their unethical methods have distorted market rates, as they overstock materials and later sell them below market prices, further harming local businesses.
The association has urged Goan companies to prioritize local operators, insisting that only if locals fail to meet standards should companies consider outsourcing work. Despite repeatedly flagging these illegal activities to the Verna IDC and meeting with officials from the Goa Industrial Development Corporation (GIDC), their concerns remain unaddressed.
They have now demanded immediate government intervention to protect local businesses and enforce strict action against illegal operators.
