Panaji (Goa) Raising serious apprehension over commencement of the mining season, Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar today said that mine owners are not very keen to resume the iron ore activities due to falling international market prices.

“Due to falling international market prices, many mine owners are not very keen to start the activity. If the activity does not resume in next coming days than the season is as best as gone,” Parrikar, who also holds Mining portfolio, told reporters.

Chief Minister was reacting to the ongoing tussle between the truck owners and mining companies over the transportation rates. Truck owners have declined to accept the rates offered by the government.

“If mining activity comes to halt, the economy will be affected of the people dependent on the business. Truck owners are not the only one dependent on this business. There are several others including those into allied business,” he said.

Parrikar said that the transportation is a commercial business activity of a truck owner and 80 percent truck owner deploy non goan as driver. “If you cannot find the business profitable or affordable then should not enter into the business or use the truck for some other business,” he stated.