TEAM HERALD
If you enjoyed reading this article, you can help support our journalism by adding OHeraldo as a preferred source.
BELGAUM: Responding to the call by All India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC) to stop all goods transport vehicles to Goa in protest against the entry tax on outstation vehicles entering Goa, a flurry of activities was observed in the region.
While transporters from Kolhapur observed a total blockade on Thursday, transporters from Belgaum, who had a meeting Thursday evening, decided to join the protests from April 20 midnight by observing a total blockade to Goa.
Transport owners from Sindhudurg district, who have strongly opposed entry tax by Goa, will block the NH17 and other routes to Goa at Banda, as aggrieved transporters and traders from the region are demanding a total rollback of the entry tax by Goa.
“About 55 trucks carry pulses, oil, rava, maida, atta, onion, garlic, etc, from Kolhapur to Goa on a daily basis, while different dairies supply about 40,000 litres of milk from milk dairies like Gokul, Warana, Chhatrapati Shahu and Gopal Doodh Sahakari Sanghas (milk unions). While trucks and tempos carrying grocery, stationery, cutlery and miscellaneous items did not go to Goa, we have also asked the Doodh Sanghas not to transport milk from Thursday midnight,” Kolhapur District Lorry Owners Operators Association (KDLOA) President Subhash Jadhav told Herald.
“Moreover, members of our association are keeping a close vigil at strategic locations like Fulewadi Naka, Ajara and Radhanagari so that no one dares to supply any goods to Goa,” added Jadhav.
Meanwhile, Belgaum Lorry Owners Association (BLOA) along with the Wholesale Vegetable Market Association at a meeting unanimously decided to block all transport vehicles from Belgaum to Goa.
“No vehicle carrying vegetables and other goods including milk tankers will be allowed to go to Goa from April 20 midnight till an indefinite period,” BLOA President Asif Khan told Herald.
“Only government buses will be allowed during this period,” he added.
While farmers have been informed not to bring vegetables to Belgaum market till further decision, the BLOA will also be vigilant during the blockade.
“Our members will be on the prowl at strategic locations on all the roads to Goa and those trying to by-pass the decision will not be spared,” said Rajendra Shinde of BLOA.
He also condemned Goan authorities for collecting entry tax from vehicles that are registered in Belgaum and urged Goa government to warn such officials.
A delegation of transporters from the region headed by A A Pacchapure will submit a memorandum to Karnataka Transport Commissioner Shrinivas in Bangalore on Friday. A copy of Goa government’s gazette regarding the entry tax will also be submitted along with the memorandum.
