TEAM HERALD
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BELGAUM: Members of Parliament (MP) from Belgaum Dr Prabhakar Kore and Suresh Angadi have strongly opposed the entry tax imposed by the Goa government on outstation vehicles entering Goa.
Speaking to Herald on Friday, Dr Kore, Rajya Sabha MP from Belgaum and MP Angadi said the matter will be soon taken up with Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar after completion of the ongoing Parliament session on May 10.
“No entry tax can be imposed on any vehicle entering any state as India is a Federal Republic. Hence it is incorrect on part of Goa to impose such tax. I have been trying to contact Parrikar in this regard,” stated Dr Kore.
“Goa government should know that along with people of other states, people of Goa too will have to bear the burden of the entry tax indirectly, hence it should withdraw it immediately,” added Dr Kore adding that the Goa government needs to be flexible in this matter.
Dr Kore, who is also the member of the BJP national executive, added that imposing of such a tax is unconstitutional.
MP Angadi has demanded for the complete roll back of the tax and suggested Goa look out for an alternative instead.
“Immediately after the Parliament session is over, we will be take a delegation to Goa as we need to sit across and sort out the issue at the earliest as it is not in anybody’s interest,” stated Angadi. “If required, the matter will be taken up with the prime minister,” added Angadi.
Speaking on the occasion, BJP Belgaum Mahanagar President Adv M B Zirli also opposed the entry tax and termed it as “illegal”. “No state government should impose entry tax on vehicles entering from other states. In case Goa government doesn’t agree to withdraw the entry tax, then it can be challenged in the court and I am sure it will have to be withdrawn,” stated Adv Zirli.
Meanwhile, Parrikar’s obstinacy in not rolling back the entry tax has earned the ire of people in the region. Parrikar, who was in Belgaum earlier this week to campaign for a party candidate in Khanapur, had vehemently stated that the entry tax will not be withdrawn under any condition.
