Truck-buses to stop operating from 13 May, protesting Entry Tax
PTI, PANAJI | 08 May 2013 17:49 IST
All India Motor Transport Congress has threatened to stop the goods truck and passenger buses in the state from 12 May midnight, in protest of the imposition of entry tax on vehicles by Goa government .
All India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC) managing committee, which met in Goa today, decided to strike as Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar refused to roll back the controversial tax imposed in the state since 15 April.
AIMTC president Bal Malkit Singh told reporters in Panaji today that the tax has been imposed illegally by Goa government, who is firm on its stand of not withdrawing it.
“We have decided to strike the work from 12 May midnight onwards. All the goods trucks and passenger buses even carrying tourists would not ply to Goa. The decision is unanimous,” he said.
The issue was prominently raised during AIMTC conference which is currently underway in Goa wherein 450 transporters are participating.
Singh said that the bus owners’ lobby plying inter-state is also part of the Congress, which has vehemently supported the strike.
Goa government has imposed an entry tax of Rs 1,000 on the heavy vehicles entering the state, while vehicles from the neighbouring Sindhudurg, Karwar, Belgaum and Kolhapur have been exempted for the time being.
Singh alleged that the Goa government, by giving exemption to vehicles from selected districts, is trying to divide and rule.
“The AIMTC members have decided not to fall for this divide and rule and unitedly strike from May 12,” he said.
Transporters tried to have an audience with the Chief Minister on the issue but he was out of station, he said.
“Even Goa transport minister was out of station and hence we could not meet but we have submitted our memorandum to them,” Singh added.
Imposition of entry tax by Goa government had resulted in protests by the transporters and traders last month which was subsequently withdrawn following intervention of Parrikar.
Non Goan Transport operators are trying to black mail a legally elected Government by threatening to stop all essential commodities from reaching to the common man in Goa. It is time for the Govt. to apply the rule as is to be followed by the petroleum companies while getting ones refilled gas cylinder. You pay the full amount without subsidies and then through bank you would get the amount of subsidy as per Aadhaar No base bank saving account.
The above rule can be followed by the Govt. by reintroduction of Vat on petrol & Diesel and the then refunding the Vat charges to Goan Customers by directly credited the Bank Account having Aadhaar number. As the Govt. has fulfilled the promise of abolishingof Vat on petrol & diesel for the benefit of Goan.
Much more can be earned by the Govt. by this method. It can serve dual purpose of achieving good many data/statistics.