the goan I network
PANAJI
As the Finance and Law Departments have adversely commented on the proposal moved by the transport department to cut road tax on motor vehicles purchased in October, November, and December by 50 percent, the ball is in now in Chief Minister Pramod Sawant’s to take a final call on whether auto buyers will get the welcome discount.
But benefit will most certainly elude auto buyers who usually make a beeline to dealers to acquire their dream vehicle on Dusshera Day, which is on Tuesday.
“Nowhere in the country, there is such a discount on road tax on purchase of vehicles. Neither such recommendation has come from the central government. So why unwarranted revenue loss should be done with such type of decision,” asked an official from the Revenue Department.
Such a decision will have to be placed by the Chief Minister before a cabinet meeting and approved by overruling the adverse comments of the Finance and Law departments, said the official.
Transport Minister Mauvin Godhino, however, is insistent on the proposal mooted by his department and said the file moved will go to finance and then Chief Minister who has to take the final.
Meanwhile, car dealerships and the market is wary that the announcement of 50 per-cent cut in road tax will affect sales in the short term, including on Dusshera day.
“The announcement which is not yet implemented has backfired and the sale is suspected to have decreased by 70 percent compared to last year on Dusshera day,” said a senior RTO official.
As many prospective buyers are waiting for the official implementation of the 50 percent cut in road tax, the gross sales are certainly going to be affected majorly on Dusshera day, the official added. The automobile and vehicle industry is already bleeding. The number of vehicle registered this year has decreased by 40 percent.
The transport department one week ago had in principle
decided to waive off 50 percent of road tax on all types of vehicles. Transport Minister Mauvin Godhino had said that the decision would be applicable for the next three months -- October, November and December.
As per statistics in the economic survey 2018-19, on an average 80,000 vehicles are registered every year. As of 31 December 2018, around 13.82 lakh vehicles had been registered in the State. Out of the registered vehicles, 71 percent were two-wheelers and 22 percent four-wheelers.
