Govt to work out mechanism to collect cess on imported milk
HERALD REPORTER
PANJIM, JULY 23
The State Government has agreed to work out a mechanism to collect cess on imported milk on regular basis and also, to ask milk dealers who were slapped with show cause notices for non-payment of cess, to make representation to the government.
Chief Minister Digambar Kamat accepted to have a mechanism in place to collect cess on milk that comes from outside Goa while responding to a question posed by Poiguinim MLA, Ramesh Tawadkar.
Currently, arrears amounting crores of rupees are due from milk dealers as they stopped payments after one of the companies went to Court. Kamat said, subsequently all dealers stopped payment of cess.
The notification imposing cess on milk coming from outside Goa was introduced on August 8, 2001 and initially, cess was paid by the dealers, he said.
There are about ten dealers included Goa State Co-operative Milk Producers Union Ltd, that owe crores of rupees in the form cess to the department of Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Services (AHVS).
The Leader of Opposition Manohar Parrikar suggested that the government to write off all the dues as it will be now very difficult for the government to prove the case after so many against the dealers who have not paid their cess. He also pointed out that main clause in the notification says, “Cess has to be paid on milk imported from outside and sold here. What if milk imported was converted into lassi or curds and then sold? How will the department prove that they are claiming cess on milk sold here?” he queried.
Parrikar also pointed out practical difficult in recovering pending dues from milk dealers. The department will not able to recover even some lakhs from dealers even if their properties are attached, he said making a case that the government should write off arrears.
While Kamat accepted to immediately put in place some mechanism to collect cess on daily basis but said, “It will not be possible to write off total dues but let them make a representation and we will work out something.”
