TEAM HERALD
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PANJIM: Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar on Monday told the State Assembly that government has issued notices to five out of nine defaulters under recovery of cess on fluid milk, amounting to around Rs 9.74 crore.
Replying during Question Hour, Parrikar assured to wave penalty imposed on these defaulters provided they submit necessary applications with proper justification as to why they did not pay the cess.
He also proposed a one time settlement wherein the defaulters will have to pay only the principal amount along with 10 percent interest.
Chief Minister said that the cess on fluid milk is imposed to increase production of milk in the State while replying to Bicholim MLA Naresh Sawal who demanded the names of the defaulters who have failed to pay the cess. He also sought to know the amount of cess collected by government since 2001.
According to the reply, Bhagwan Harnalkar selling Mahanand milk is the biggest defaulter with dues of Rs 4.42 crore, followed by Hanumanth Warang who also sells Mahanand milk and owes the government Rs 1.75 lakh.
The notices are been served to Bhagwan Harnalkar, Hanumanth Warang, Laxmikant Walke, Supriya Naik and Shivanath Walke.
Of the total nine, the three defaulters are from Kholapur district ~Mayur Co-op Milk Union, Sham Milk & Milk Products and Sahyadri Dudh Utpadak Sangh, who together owe an amount of Rs 57.20 lakh.
In case of Mayur, the matter is pending before the District magistrate (North), while in case of others no action has been taken.
The reply also stated that since 2001, government has collected a cess of Rs 5.98 crore from fluid milk suppliers.
