PANAJI
The government on Thursday informed the House that it has levied cess on coal and coke while admitting that some companies have filed litigations before the Bombay High Court at Goa pertaining to collecting revenue by the State from handling and transportation of coal.
In his reply to a starred question tabled by Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao, Transport Minister Mauvin Godinho stated the government has levied cess on items under Goa Rural Improvement and Welfare Cess Act 2020. While Rs 250 per metric ton is levied on coal, other than that used by industries in Goa; Rs 50 per metric ton for coal used by the industries; and the same cess is charged on coke.
The minister explained that the Act provides additional resources for improving infrastructure and health with a view to promoting the welfare of people residing in the rural areas affected by the use of plastics, dumping of garbage and spillage of materials.
In his further reply to Alemao seeking to know the mechanism adopted by the government to monitor the entire exercise to ensure no loss of revenue, the minister stated that Transport Department uses data of coal import from MPT to carry out an assessment of cess liability.