MARGAO
Apparently bowing to public sentiments, especially those from the tiatr fraternity, Town and Country Planning Minister Vijai Sardesai on Saturday said he would personally petition to the Chief Minister, Manohar Parrikar with a plea to exempt tiatr and natak from the ambit of the Goods and Service Tax (GST).
In what appears a complete turnaround, two days after the TCP Minister had said that the tiatr fraternity should petition before the Chief Minister if they want GST exemption, the TCP Minister on Saturday asserted that he himself would petition to the Chief Minister on behalf of the tiatrists to grant relief to the tiatr fraternity.
"The very essence of Goa is nature and culture. As culture is also the essence of Goemkarponn, we will do our bit and petition to the Chief Minister, irrespective whether the tiatrists make representation to the CM or not," Sardesai told the media on Saturday.
"Two days ago, I had told the media that tiatrists should make a presentation before him and that he was willing to take up the GST matter with the Chief Minster. I sat with some tiatrists and their economics revealed that the GST, if applied, would spell doom for tiatr or natak as the case may be. I am convinced that the tiatr directors or producers would not benefit financially if they are
made to pay the GST. I will forcefully take up the issue with the CM to ensure that GST on tiatr and natak is done away with completely," he told the media.
He disclosed plans to call on the Chief Minister on Saturday itself so that the government approaches the GST Council with a plea to exempt tiatr and natak from the GST.
