BJP forces to scrap age-old Derram on temples
PTI, PANAJI | 29 March 2011 16:41 IST
Chief Minister Digambar Kamat today assured to scrap the century-old tax levied on various temples in the state after BJP-led opposition benches attacked the government for continuing with the levy.
Kamat told the state legislative assembly during Question Hour that the state government would scrap the law enacted in 1886 during the erstwhile Portuguese regime.
Leader of Opposition Manohar Parrikar questioned state government's decision to continue with the tax collection, which is called as 'derram'.
State Revenue Minister Jose Philip D'Souza was cornered by the opposition for levying tax only on Hindu temples.
They argued that if it is a law, it should have been made applicable to all the religious institutions. Parrikar said that since Goa is entering Golden Jubilee of its Liberation, the state should scrap the controversial law, which makes temples cough up huge sums.
Participating in the debate, Kamat accepted the opposition's argument and assured that the tax would be scrapped.
Details about quantum of taxes collected from temples were not immediately known.
This was once again a legislation inherited as a Portuguese legacy and deserved to be scrapped long time back. There are many other outdated legislations inherited as British legacy like the Land Acquisition Act 1894, which need to be scrapped as these legislations are oppressive and aimed at exploiting the common man...
The Law Commission would do a great Job if it studies all such outdated legislations and takes steps to scrap them...
VishwasBab, the thing is, once the subjects of British Empire next we became rulers, so the laws left behind by the British Raj, became convenient for oppressing the children of a lesser god. Same thing with taxes like Octroi, and other cesses, they remain in existence long after the exigency is over. They never get scrapped.
On the "derram" why the previous governments did nothing to scap them ? Like in musical hat the hapless Minister for Revenue was left with the hat capped on him. It happens sometimes.