Goa State Horticulture Corporation Limited, which manages the chain of 625-odd outlets selling vegetables at subsidised rates, has kept its fingers crossed over the supply of vegetables in the wake of a strike called by transporters against entry tax on non-Goan vehicles.
GSHCL managing director Orlando Rodrigues told PTI today that all 32 trucks, hired by a contractor of the state-run entity, managed to enter the state last night, little before the strike began.
"There is no worry for next two days. But the crucial day would be Wednesday when the next lot of vegetables will arrive from the neighbouring state", Rodrigues said.
The GSHCL has 625 outlets across the state that sell subsidised vegetables as a part of the state government's scheme to rein in inflation.
Around 200 tonne of vegetables are transported to Goa through trucks from neighbouring Belgaum in Karnataka.
GSHCL buys a chunk of vegetables from Belgaum's wholesale market while other vegetables like tomatoes are brought from Narayangao village in Maharashtra.
All India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC) members stopped plying trucks and buses to Goa since last midnight protesting the entry fee levied by the government on the vehicles entering the state.
The entry fee of Rs 1,000 is levied on the heavy goods vehicles entering the state from April 15.
The state government has exempted the vehicles from Kolhapur, Sindhudurg, Belgaum and Karwar from paying the fee.
"The corporation will request the state government to have a dialogue with its counterpart in Karnataka asking security for trucks carrying vegetables for GSHCL", the MD said.
He said that potatoes would be brought from Agra in Uttar Pradesh.
"All vegetables are packed in Belgaum before it heads towards Goa. The vegetables can not be packaged in Goa due to heat and humid conditions which result in deterioration of vegetables", Rodrigues added.
