Abolish entry tax or minimise rates: Cong
GOANEWS DESK, PANAJI | 19 April 2013 18:21 IST
The opposition Congress has demanded that the entry tax be abolished immediately as it is affecting common man as well as the industry.
Speaking on behalf of the Goa Pradesh Congress Committee as well as the Congress Legislature Party, Congress MLA Vishwajeet Rane said the party would reconsider its demand only if the tax amount is reduced drastically.
“In principle we are not opposed to the concept of entry tax, but not such a high amount of taxation”, said Vishwajeet.
The BJP-led coalition government has refused to rollback on entry tax in spite of transporters and traders bringing essential goods to Goa have decided to boycott Goa market.
According to Vishwajeet, the situation has resulted into artificial shortage of essential goods being created and prices being inflated.
Goa gets most of its essential goods like vegetables, fruits, milk, chicken, eggs, grains, fish etc from the neighbouring states, mainly Belgaum, Kolhapur and Karwar.
The entry tax on tempos is Rs 500 and Rs 1000 for trucks, charged at border check posts.
Vishwajeet informed at a press conference today evening that the GPCC and the CLP has taken a joint stand in this regard.
Opposition leader Pratapsing Rane would meet chief minister Manohar Parrikar in this regard, he said.
He also felt that the entry tax would affect the industry severely as the truck operators have decided to spread the protest nationwide.
The Valpoi MLA refused to buy the argument of Goa government that the entry tax is similar to toll charged in other states for infrastructure like four lane roads or the bridges.
“Where do we have four lanes or bridges built by private parties to recover it through toll”, asked Vishwajeet, stating that it cannot be equated to tolls charged by the neighbouring states.
When pointed out that the government is planning to charge entry tax at concessional rates through monthly passes to the vehicles bringing essential goods on daily basis, Vishwajeet claimed that all these vehicles are being charged the same amount of entry tax.
He also did not buy the claim of Goa government that the vehicles from Belgaum, Sindhudurg and Karwar are presently not being charged entry tax.
