MINING TRUCKS IDLE SINCE BAN
MAPUSA
Truck owners in Curchorem and adjoining areas are facing mounting anxiety over retrospective tax recovery notices issued by the Assistant Director of Transport, Quepem – many of which target vehicles that have been non-operational since the mining ban in Goa.
Raising the issue in the Goa Legislative Assembly on Monday, Curchorem MLA Nilesh Cabral said several residents, especially owners of heavy motor vehicles, have received notices demanding steep payments, without any verification of whether the vehicles are in use.
Cabral highlighted a case involving a resident of Khamamol, Curchorem, who received a notice dated July 2025 concerning a Tata Tipper (Reg. No. GA-09-T-5259) registered in 2004. The notice demands a payment of ₹59,250 for the period April 1, 2021 to March 31, 2026, under Section 4 of The Goa, Daman and Diu M.V. Taxation Act & Rules, 1974.
The department has threatened to recover the amount as arrears of land revenue via the Revenue Recovery Court if the payment is not made within 14 days — regardless of whether the vehicle is operational or off-road.
“What is most disturbing is that many of these trucks have remained unused since the closure of mining operations in Goa. These blanket recovery notices are being issued without verifying whether the vehicles were scrapped, surrendered, or lying idle,” Cabral said, expressing serious concern over the lack of due diligence.
He added that many of these vehicles had been registered with Goa Electronics Limited (GEL) for tracking during the mining period, and the department could easily access this data to confirm vehicle status.
“The assumption that these vehicles are in continuous use is flawed and is pushing already distressed truck owners into deeper economic trouble,” Cabral said.
He urged the government to put in place a verification mechanism before issuing such tax demands, especially on vehicles no longer in operation.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant assured the House that he would personally look into the matter and take necessary steps to resolve the issue.
“We will intervene and ensure that no unjust tax burden is placed on vehicle owners,” Sawant said.
