Goa starts entry tax amidst road blockade at Banda
GOANEWS DESK, PANAJI | 15 April 2013 12:01 IST
Goa started collecting entry tax from today while transporters at Banda in Maharashtra started a Rasta Roko since morning.
Chief minister Manohar Parrikar today said the government would consider introducing monthly passes at concessional rate for vehicles entering Goa on a regular basis.
However, he did not reveal when the scheme would start.
Transporters however started a road block at Banda in Sindhudurg district, in protest of entry tax imposed by Goa government, by blocking Goa-registered vehicles entering Maharashtra.
Transporters from Belgaum, bringing various consumables including vegetables, fruits, milk etc have decided to stop the trade from tomorrow.
Parrikar however firmly stated that Goa would not revert back on entry tax though transporters of neighbouring states have protested.
Around 6000 vehicles believed to have been entering Goa from Belgaum alone every day.
The entry tax booths have been installed at six check posts - Satarda, Dhargal and Dodamarg on Maharashtra border and Keri, Mollem and Pollem on Karnataka border.
Goa will charge Rs 100 for three wheelers, Rs 250 for four wheelers, Rs 500 for tempos and Rs 1000 for six-tyre trucks.
Reports indicate that there were long queue of vehicles up to one kilometer at Patradevi check post, which is bordering Maharashtra.
“We will take a decision on monthly passes after assessing the situation for some time,” said the chief minister.
According to Parrikar, the transporters save almost Rs 500 to Rs 700 on diesel since it is cheaper by Rs 1.70 per litre than Karnataka and Rs three than Maharashtra.
In addition, he pointed out that all the vehicles fill their tanks while going back.
“Why can’t Goa charge one-time entry tax when Karnataka and Maharashtra charge tolls at different points, that too almost up to Rs 500”, asked Parrikar.
“On Pune highway it is Rs 500 and Bangalore highway it is Rs 600”, he adds.
He even suggested that Goan media should start a campaign asking the neighbouring state governments to abolish these toll taxes,” the chief minister reacted.
Goa however has decided to exclude two-wheelers as well as public transport coming from Maharashtra and Karnataka.
In addition, vehicles using Goa as a corridor would be refunded the entry tax at another entry point, provided the vehicles cross the state within four hours.
However Goa-registered commercial vehicles coming back to Goa would be charged the entry tax.
Parrikar said that the state has projected Rs 100 crore revenue, annually, in the form of entry tax.
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