THE GOAN NETWORK
VASCO
The Goan Earthmoving and Construction Equipment Owners Association (GECEOA) has threatened a tax boycott, alleging that local contractors are being ignored in favour of operators from outside the state.
Speaking in Pernem, GECEOA President Avinash Bhobe said a non-Goan contractor had been awarded a project and was using trucks and machinery from Karnataka without valid permits or approvals. “One truck had no documents or tax receipts. The driver just showed a photo on his phone as ID,” Bhobe claimed.
According to GECEOA, this is not an isolated incident. Bhobe alleged that the contractor had failed to secure mandatory clearances yet faced no consequences. “We’re paying all required taxes, and maybe that’s why we don’t get work. Outsiders don’t pay, and that’s cheaper for the government,” he said.
Bhobe called the RTO to the site to verify documents and warned of retaliation if the truck was released without action. “If political interference lets it go, our members will stop paying taxes too. We’ll run our vehicles without paying a rupee, just like the outsiders.”
He also criticised the silence of authorities. “Who is shielding these illegal operations? Why are honest Goans, who contribute revenue, being punished while violators go unchecked?” he asked.
Bhobe pointed to the Pernem constituency, which is seeing rapid development due to the Mopa airport. “There is so much work, yet none of it is given to local contractors. Even those who gave up land for development haven’t been offered jobs or business,” he said.
He warned that frustration among local operators could soon boil over. “We took loans, invested in machinery, and hoped infrastructure projects would help us recover after the mining ban. But now the government is abandoning us too.”
“If this continues, we’ll have no choice but to protest. The government is forcing us onto the streets,” he said.
