Team Herald
PANJIM: Goan car owners registering their vehicles in Union Territories have come under the scanner of the Transport Department.
Department officials have found that many cars are registered in Union Territories like Puducherry and are plying in Goa. This is because they could evade high road tax in Goa which is comparatively lower in union territories.
“I have instructed all inspectors to check on Puducherry registered vehicles owned by Goans and plying on Goan roads. Data gathering in the matter has begun and frauds if any will be identified and dealt with very strongly,” Transport Director Nikhil Desai said.
Since the State government has raised road tax, especially for high-end cars, a number of Goan buyers have preferred to register their vehicles, including imported ones, in other States or Union Territories where registration fee is far lower.
These States and UTs charge a mere one to three per cent of the value of the cars as road tax as against 8-16 per cent applicable in Goa.
According to the Central Motor Vehicles Act, a vehicle can be registered anywhere in the country, a provision several Goan owners of high-end vehicles have been taking advantage of. It is found that these owners attach a false affidavit and a notarised copy of false rental agreement in the registering State for showing local address ‘proof’ which is necessary for vehicle registration.
