PANJIM: The Aam Aadmi Party on Saturday urged the State government to stop ignoring the urgent issue of financial relief to the common man, stating that extension of the COVID restrictions cannot be an isolated decision.
Pointing out that other States have already followed AAP’s Delhi model, State Convenor Rahul Mhambre said Chief Minister Pramod Sawant is pretending to be asleep on the issue, waking up only when casinos call for relief.
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Welcoming Transport Minister Mauvin Godinho’s statement that 100 crore out of 300 crore Liberation Day fund should be used to compensate families of COVID victims, Mhambre said that the remaining 200 crore also should also be used for direct benefit to the common man.
“If Sawant could waive 277 crore in annual fees for his casino friends last year, why can’t he do the same for his own Goan family? He should give similar waiver of all annual fees and taxes for Goan businesses such as shacks, B&Bs, bars, taxis, tourist buses, and other small businesses, especially stakeholders from the tourism industry, who have struggled and suffered since March last year,” Mhambre said.
He also demanded for waiver of trade licence fees, shops and establishment tax, house tax and other annual fees for shops and offices, which have been closed down due to COVID restrictions.
“Many States are following Arvind Kejriwal’s relief measures for the common man,” he added.
