Transporters and Stakeholders Rally Behind MLA Sankalp Amonkar Amidst Allegations

Goemkarponn desk
VASCO: Tensions are rising at the Mormugao Port Authority (MPA) as transporters, labour contractors, stevedores, and other stakeholders allege that MLA Sankalp Amonkar is being unfairly targeted for his support of local interests and opposition to the privatization of berths at the port.
Speaking to reporters, Wasim Shaikh of Venkateshwar Transport vehemently denied the allegations made against Amonkar. “There are no facts in the report that appeared intending to target MLA Sankalp Amonkar,” Shaikh stated. “We had taken our grievances to the MLA regarding the privatization of berths and requested him to safeguard our livelihood. The MPA is seemingly colluding with a particular party to target our MLA so that they can proceed with the privatization of berths smoothly.”
Shaikh clarified the situation regarding the disputed cargo at the port. “The said cargo, Gypsum, around 32,000 tons, arrived at the port in May, and we have cleared 98 per cent of it by June. How can anyone allege that the cargo is still inside the port? The small amount of cargo left was held due to a dispute between the buyer and the importer, and we were informed to keep it on hold until the dispute was resolved.”
Further, Shaikh refuted claims from a company alleging deliberate delays. “There was news that one company wrote to the MPA about their cargo being kept on hold deliberately. The company received around 50,000 tons of gypsum cargo in April, of which 40,000 tons were transported by rail within a month. The remaining 10,000 tons were to be transported by road, which we have already done. Only about 70 tons were held because the company hasn’t made our payment despite several reminders. I have all the mail conversations as proof.”
Shaikh expressed frustration over one-sided reports and alleged collusion between the MPA and the Delta Group. “Reports stated that issues had been settled and transportation had resumed. However, the other side of the story wasn’t taken. We suspect these half-baked stories aim to support the Delta Group’s privatization efforts and target MLA Amonkar, who opposes the move.”
Describing a suspicious meeting with the MPA Chairman, Shaikh said, “Our transporter association was informed of a meeting, but when I arrived, I found that other transporters had been told the meeting was cancelled. I was shocked to see Raghoba Kotkar of the Delta Group, who is not a transporter, present there. I informed the Chairman about the payment issues, and at his request, we resumed transportation, but our payment remains unsettled.”
Shaikh concluded by accusing the MPA and Delta Group of trying to harass and defame the transporters to facilitate privatization. “We believe the MPA and Delta Group want to hold our payments, harass us, and defame us to make privatization easier. They are also targeting MLA Amonkar, who supports us, to remove any hindrances to their plans. We work for more than six companies without any complaints. Our performance is better than the previous transporter,” Shaikh asserted.