LOUIS RODRIGUES
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BELGAUM: Protests against the entry tax levied by the Goa government on outstation vehicles entering Goa has spread across the nation, with the All India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC) declaring a total blockade of all goods transport vehicles to Goa with immediate effect.
A number of associations in Kolhapur and Belgaum have also decided to suspend transport operations to Goa, in a bid to pressure the Goa government to revoke the controversial entry tax.
The AIMTC took the decision after expressing disappointment that talks had failed with the Goa government on Tuesday to roll back the entry tax imposed on the Goa border.
In a circular to all state and district associations on Wednesday, AIMTC President Bal Malkit Singh asked all associations affiliated to the AIMTC to join the protests at an all-India level till the Goa government rolls back the entry tax.
“Goa is blatantly collecting entry tax of Rs 1,000 per trip per vehicle. This way, the transporters will be made to cough up approx. Rs 30,000 per month,” stated the AIMTC, the New Delhi-based apex organization of motor transport operators in the country, which was founded in 1936.
“AIMTC protests against the levy of such illegal tax and supports the call given by Kolhapur District Lorry Owners Association (KDLOA) and Belgaum Lorry Owners Association to stop sending their vehicles to Goa.”
“The transporters from the markets of Belgaum and Kolhapur have decided to stop entry of vehicles from April 18, as the talks with the Goa government to roll back the entry tax imposed on the border had failed. We request our members to support the cause of our truckers and transporters from Karnataka and Maharashtra by not sending their vehicles to Goa,” stated Singh in the letter.
At an urgent meeting on Wednesday, the Kolhapur District Lorry Owners Association (KDLOA) decided to suspend all types of transport operations to Goa with effect from April 18.
“The decision to impose the entry tax by Goa is unfortunate. Hence, we took a decision at a meeting in Kolhapur today,’’ KDLOA president Subhash Jadhav told Herald.
The Maharashtra Trucks, Tempo, Tanker and Bus Transport Association President Prakash Gavali has also declared its support to these protests.
Meanwhile, unrest is brewing in Belgaum and North Karnataka over the entry tax on outstation vehicles entering Goa.
Members of the Belgaum Lorry and Transport Owners Association (BLTOA) also convened a meeting on Wednesday to decide on their plan of action.
Though associations in Belgaum have deferred implementing the decision by two days, the transporters have decided to suspend all transportation to Goa, including milk and vegetables from April 20. The two-day relaxation is for the benefit of Belgaum farmers who pluck vegetables couple of days in advance.
“By offering a package to a certain section of transporters, Chief Minister Parrikar is trying to hatch a conspiracy to divide us. Hence, we would like to put up a united front,” BLTOA President Asif Khan told Herald.
Aware that the Goa government could respond to the nationwide protests by sending Goa-registered vehicles to bring in the essential commodities, Khan warned: “Our association will not allow any Goa-registered vehicle to transport milk or vegetables to Goa.”
A A Pacchapure of the BLTOA claimed that “the Goa government is trying to please the people of Goa at our cost. However, Goa needs to think twice before implementing such a tax which is completely unjustified.”
Mindful of a possible backlash from transport associations in other states, Sayyad Y Pasha, secretary of Ponda Goods Transport Association told Herald that his association would also support the protests.
