Commercial vehicle owners oppose hike in permit fees

Commercial vehicle owners oppose hike in permit fees
HERALD REPORTER
PANJIM, NOV 26
The recent hike in the permit fees has forced the commercial vehicle operators in the State to join hands and fight for roll back in taxes.
The commercial vehicle operators across the State, who met today at T B Cunha hall in Panjim formed a committee under the leadership of Sudesh Kalangutkar, a private bus operator.
The newly formed All Goa Commercial Vehicle Owners Federation (AGCVOF) raised strong objection to the government decision of hike in permit fees.
“We have join hands to fight against the government decision of intense taxation levied on our business,” AGCVOF vice president Eddie Tavares told Herald.
Being non-registered, the federation through All Goa Private Bus Owners Association will be serving notice to the government asking to revert back the decision of hike in permit fees on immediate basis.
“If government fails to respond to our notice, they will have to get ready to face the consequences,” he said.
Earlier this week, State Government had hiked permit fees of all the tourist taxis and buses registered under various categories.
As per the draft notification issued under Goa Motor Vehicle Act 1991 on May 2010, the permit fees of all Goa tourist taxis and all India tourist taxis have been hiked from Rs 150 to Rs 1000 and Rs 5000 each.
The permit fees for all Goa and India tourist buses have also been increased to Rs 4,000 and Rs 5000 respectively as against Rs 300. Withdrawing, the earlier fees of Rs 150 and 70 each, the department has now asked the yellow/black taxis, auto rickshaws and motorcycles to pay Rs 500, Rs 300 and Rs 150 each. The all Goa maxi cabs will have to pay now Rs 2000 while all India maxi cabs have to shell out Rs 3000 as permit fees.
When contacted, Transport Director Arun Desai said that the hike has been done as per the draft notification. “The notification was based on the objections and suggestions from the public. However, the operators failed to raise necessary objections,” he said.
Desai rubbished the claims of the tourist vehicle operators from Calangute, who had alleged harassment by the transport department. “We are going as per the law….if there is any sort of harassment then come and discuss with us,” director said.