TEAM HERALD

teamherald@herald-goa.com

PANJIM: The state will mop up projected revenue of Rs 14 crore for fiscal 2012-13 from barge and goods tax which has been enhanced through an ordinance issued recently.

The Manohar Parrikar budget had proposed to enhance barge and goods taxes on all vessels depending on their Dead Weight Tonnage (DWT). 

0px; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; text-align: justify; font-size: medium; ">As per the ordinance, vessels of less than 1000 DWT, the barge tax has been raised from Rs 90 to Rs 100 per ton, while for vessels larger than 1000 DWT, the barge tax has been raised from Rs 140 to Rs 200 per ton. The goods tax has been raised from 40 paisa to Rs 1 per ton.

In view of this, the government is expected to rake in revenue to the tune of Rs 5.87 crore from goods tax and Rs 8.4 crore from barge tax.

The Port administration states that this will bring in an increase of revenue of Rs 3.52 crore from goods tax and Rs 2.26 crore from barge tax.

Barge crew age enhanced: Following several demands, the Captain of Ports has issued an order enhancing the age for certified crew in the barge industry from 65 to 70 years.

The age enhancement is applicable for certified barge crew of inland vessels, subject to medical fitness.

Dry docking period enhanced : Similarly the Ports Administration has obtained government approval for relaxing the dry docking period for barges from 18 months to 24 months.

The dry docking for barges is a requirement where the Port Administration conducts a survey of the lower end of the vessel before renewing licences.

The extension of time has been granted on account of shortage of dry docking facilities.

Captain Braaganza said, “The barge fleet has increase over the years, now numbering around 400 and the number of dry docking facilities are not enough.”