PANJIM: Stating that it is for increasing the taxation base rather than increasing taxes, the Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) has opposed the proposed levy of ‘Professional Tax’ on professionals viz CAs, lawyers, doctors etc and not to burden them and local industry due to hike in minimum wages in the State.
During their meeting with the Goa State Finance Commission Chairman Daulat Hawaldar, IAS (Rtd) and his team, the GCCI requested the Commission to ensure that the local industry, professionals and the businesses who are just trying to come to normalcy from the Covid-19 pandemic effect are no more burdened. It further brought to the notice of the Commission that the recent hike in minimum daily wages had already burdened the Goan businesses and levying of any taxes will drastically affect the profitability.
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It was observed by the GCCI that no action is taken on some of the vital recommendations made by the earlier State Finance Commission like non-creation of additional posts in government departments, recruitments to be done through GPSC, auditing of incomes and expenditures of local bodies etc.
The GCCI highlighted that the necessary action on the recommendations like above would have definitely reduced the financial burden on local bodies. Further this would have brought in financial discipline in these bodies which is a matter ofconcern.
While opposing the proposed levy of ‘Professional Tax’, the Chamber stated that it is of the strong view that if the grants from both – State and Central government are properly utilised and the social security schemes on which huge public funds are spent are made open only to the needy, then there is no need for further taxing any strata of the Goan economy.
