Truckers can't run Goa: Parrikar talks tough
GOANEWS DESK, PANAJI | 22 April 2013 15:06 IST
“Go hell with the threats, the truck operators form Kolhapur and Belgaum cannot run the state of Goa. I will not rollback the entry tax solely because of these blackmailing tactics”, chief minister Manohar Parrikar said with a firm voice in the Assembly today.
He however agreed to go ahead with the government decision to issue a monthly pass at concessional rates, provided the traders and transport operators come down to Goa for talks in a decent manner.
Along with Belgaum, Karwar and Sindhudurg, the chief minister today also announced exemption on entry tax to the vehicles coming from Kolhapur till the decision on monthly pass is finalised.
“We will take a decision within a fortnight regarding giving concessional rates to the vehicles with daily essentials to Goa”, he told the media persons after the Assembly session.
However, while replying to the issue raised by the opposition during Zero Hour, Parrikar went tough on the truckers’ Goa Boycott strike.
“Who are these truckers to tell us how we should raise our revenue”, he asked.
The CM said Goa cannot keep quite every time as a similar approach has been adopted by these states regarding Mhadei diversion or water from Virdi or Tillari dams.
“Don’t you have self-respect? Do you want Goa to fall prey to these blackmailing tactics”, asked Parrikar to the opposition benches.
He said it is deplorable that the neighbours are trying to sabotage our revenue generating exercise and the opposition members are aligning with them.
Going tough on the truckers’ strike, Parrikar reminded them that the important fuel like petrol and diesel goes from Goa.
“Even I can stop these fuel vehicles going to Belgaum and Kolhapur”, he said.
Parrikar also hinted that it is Goa’s good fortune that Belgaum and Kolhapur are not coastal states like Goa (which exports lots of fish).
According to Parrikar, as petrol is cheaper by almost Rs 16 per litre, vehicles save not less than Rs 640 when they fill 40 litre tanks.
Even on diesel, which is cheaper by Rs 3 than Maharashtra and Rs 1.72 cheaper than Karnataka, they save not less than Rs 300.
“Then what is the harm in paying one-time entry tax of Rs 500”, he asked, while reminding that Rs 1000 is charged only on heavy trucks having more than six tyres.
Parrikar also said the truckers and operators had no manners to talk when they came in a delegation.
“I will not reconsider the entry tax only because of the behavior of these people. They don’t even know how to talk to the chief minister”, said Goa’s chief minister Manohar Parrikar.
He however also clarified that he had no issues with the vendors.
