Goa govt refuses to withdraw entry tax

Traders from Belgaum, Kolhapur are protesting against the imposition of entry tax and seeking its roll-back

Asserting that the state would not fall prey to the "blackmailing tactics" of a few traders' organisations from Maharashtra and Karnataka, the Goa government on Monday refused to roll back the controversial entry tax on the borders.

"How can traders from Belgaum (Karnataka) and Kolhapur (Maharashtra) dictate terms to Goa government? This is blackmailing," Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar told the Goa Legislative Assembly today. Parrikar was responding to Zero Hour mention tabled by opposition legislators, including Mauvin Godinho, Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco, Vijay Sardesai and Leader of Opposition Pratapsingh Rane on the issue.

Traders from Belgaum and Kolhapur are protesting against the imposition of entry tax and seeking its roll-back. They are not allowing vehicles from the two states to transport the commodities like milk and vegetables into Goa.

Parrikar said he has already held a dialogue with the transport ministers and chief secretaries of Karnataka and Maharashtra, who have assured their cooperation.

He said the state government might venture into other markets like Pune, Mumbai and Bangalore to buy the essential commodities.

"Traders cannot stop vehicles with essential commodities to Goa. If they do it, they have to realise that petrol and diesel for their region is sent through Goa," the Chief Minister said