MARGAO: The Small and Medium Hoteliers’ Association of Goa has cried foul over the Excise Department’s alleged attempt to fleece their establishments in the name of excise fees payment.
The hoteliers claimed that even after appealing to the court and to the Chief Minister on several occasions, they are being harassed to pay the excise licence fees and the illegal surcharge on the excise licence.
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Association president Serafin Cota reminded that with the outbreak of COVID-19, the government had imposed a lockdown w.e.f. 22.3.2020. From 1.9.2020, the Goa Government has allowed operation of bars, while standalone bars have opened based on the order.
He said, “Small & medium hotels having bars and restaurants are still shut due to lack of tourists. Since then the Excise Department has now actively started calling our members to pay full excise licence fee effective from 1.4.2020, which means that we are expected to pay fees for the lockdown period”.
The association has approached the High Court as there is no guarantee when the tourist demand would return for the small and medium hotels.
“Based on our approach the matter is sub judice. The court has directed the association to make a representation to the Finance Secretary, which has been submitted and are awaiting the reply,” Serafin informed.
