Herald: Why has such a situation come to pass? The CM and you are speaking at cross purposes on the issue of entry tax for Goan vehicles. There is complete confusion.
Sudin Dhavalikar: Confusion has been created by officers. The file was moved in August 2014 approved by earlier CM. It came to us through the finance department. It was sent for vetting to the law dept. After the law department vetting it came back. Business rules permit a Secretary level officer (PWD Chief engineer is a Secy level officer) to take a decision on notifications.
Herald: But Principal Chief Engineer Mr Borker says you were informed
SD: No ,No, No. Who said?. File has not come to me. He has informed one day in advance.. not even one .. in the evening he informed me, he informed me at 6 in the evening before implementation.
Herald: So what did you tell him then?
SD: I had no idea. I had forgotten what was inside the notification. I kept mum because I did not know. I didn’t say ok. But implementation is his responsibility.
Herald: Thus there is a total breakdown of communication in your own department and that with the CM’s office
SD: Nothing is wrong in it. Maybe a mistake. But the decision is not wrong. What we have charged (the entry fee at the booth) is very less. From where will the money come? We have raised Rs 64 crores upto March from the entry tax imposed since 2013. (from non-Goan vehicles). We have managed to raise money through loans because of this money and its interest. We will add more money cause we were till now not charging tax for vehicles from Sindhudurg, Kholapur, Karwar and border areas. Why should we allow vehicles to cross and travel in such good condition roads?
Herald: But the CM says this is no way to raise revenue.
SD: That is his thinking. My thinking is separate, CM’s thinking is separate. But the CM was completely unaware.
Herald: What next. Should there be a re-look or are you ruling out withdrawing the notification?
SD: We will call the stakeholders and study the issue. This tax has to be imposed. The file is approved. You can’t withdraw it suo moto. The decision (to impose the tax for all) is OK. Moreover the Honourable Union Minister (for Highways) Nitinji Gadkari has said that if you want good roads, some money should come out of people’s pockets. I am only supporting such policies of the Union minister.
