Maha, K'taka traders withdraw protest against entry tax in Goa

Transporters of Maharashtra and Karnataka today said they have withdrawn their protest against the entry tax in Goa as Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar assured them of a solution within eight days.

Transporters, who had threatened to stop the supply of essential commodities like vegetables, milk and groceries for the state, withdrew their agitation after meeting the Chief Minister of Goa.

A delegation of traders' bodies, including the Belgaum Chamber of Commerce and Industries (BCCI), Kolhapur District Lorry Operators Association (KDLOA) and All India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC), had arrived in Goa to meet the Chief Minister.

AIMTC President Shanmugappa G R, after meeting Parrikar, said "the Chief Minister has asked for eight-day time to settle the issue by offering reliefs like concessions".

Demanding a roll-back of the entry tax, traders claimed that Belgaum Vegetable Owners Association had already stopped the vegetable supply, while supplies from Kolhapur were supposed to be stopped from tomorrow.

The delegation was apparently happy with the assurance by the Chief Minister.
Belgaum Motor Owners Association secretary A Panchapure told reporters the vegetable supply would not be stopped,after the assurance by Parrikar.

He said that the tempos and trucks loaded with vegetables at Belgaum market have been asked to leave for Goa resuming the supply, which was on hold since yesterday.

BCCI President Satish Tendolkar said that Parrikar was very amicable during the discussion and "he did understand the problems faced by the transporters."
KDLOA president Subhash Jadhav said the trucks from Kolhapur too would not stop the supplies tomorrow.

"We have given 8 days' time. The supplies would be stopped if Goa continues with the entry tax," he said.

The state government has imposed entry tax on its border for the vehicles from other states and commercial vehicles from Goa. It expects to earn Rs 100 crore from the new tax.