Chief Minister allays fears of shortage of essential commodities; adamant transporters block roads
TEAM HERALD
[email protected]
PANJIM/BELGAUM/KARWAR: Even as the logjam over the entry tax continued with transporters remaining adamant and blocking roads, Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar allayed fears of shortages of essential commodities in Goa.
Karnataka and Maharashtra transporters had resorted to indefinite ‘chakka jam’ from May 12-midnight to protest the fee levied on non-Goan registered vehicles entering the State.
At a press conference at the BJP headquarters Monday, Parrikar refused to withdraw the fee under threat saying it is the right of the government to levy the tax.
“People should not worry about the shortage of essential commodities or inflation. We are firm on our decision (to retain the toll fee) because it is the decision of the elected government,” he said.
Parrikar said that despite the strike call by AIMTC the number of vehicles entering Goa remained same on the first day of the strike.
“There is no impact on the supplies to Goa. There are 50 trucks arriving in Goa daily and they will continue providing the commodities,” Parrikar said, adding that government will ensure that there will be no shortfall of commodities.
Meanwhile, transport organisations have remained adamant in their decision to continue with the strike with AIMTC President Bal Malkit Singh telling Herald that though Goa might not have felt the impact on first day, the agitation will be intensified from Monday midnight.
“Continuing with our agitation, we will not call it off at least in near future as there is no sign of negotiations from the Goa government. Total impact will be witnessed in next couple of days,” stated Singh.
However, the managing director of Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF), which markets the Nandini Milk to Goa, informed Herald that milk vans to Goa will be dispatched as per schedule.
To a question on whether government will strike talks with the Chambers of the two states to resolve the issue, Parrikar, replied in negative and warned that he would discontinue imports from the protesting markets and instead get supplies from Pune, Indore and other places.
“We can ignore Belgaum and Kolhapur markets although we are entirely dependent on Kolhapur for turmeric…If there is shortage of sugar, Sanjivani Sugar Factory can generate it…There are lot of markets like Pune which we can rely on,” he reiterated. He assured that pass system would soon be introduced for the vehicles regularly entering Goa.
He came down heavily on the groups for being critical of the government for hiking diesel price.
“Many in Goa have no knowledge … diesel costing more than petrol is an international trend… Who said I have increased water and power tariffs? We haven’t… I have reduced three percent of registration charges, is anyone appreciating that?” he asked.
He stated that initially the tax was labeled as entry tax which has been subsequently named as toll fee.
“It is a fee levied on the vehicles for using the infrastructure like road created by Government of Goa,” Parrikar clarified.
Parrikar gives transporters ‘freedom of choice’
PANJIM: Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar has categorically said that those transporters who do not want to ply to Goa are free to do so.
“Those who wish to come to Goa, they are welcome and those who don’t want to come, I have given them full freedom not to come to Goa,” he told media.
Giving a ray of hope to unemployed mining truckers, Parrikar said if the strike continues, about 25,000 trucks lying idle in Goa (due to mining ban) will be given the jobs.
Parrikar stated that if transporters start blocking Goa vehicles across the border, then State government will not tolerate it. “Who are these people from Bangalore or Kolhapur to tell me what to do for Goa? People of Goa have elected me and it is my fundamental right to levy toll fee,” he said, refusing to withdraw the toll fee.
