THE GOAN NETWORK
PERNEM
All Goa Bus Owners Association (AGBOA) has threatened to go on indefinite hunger strike from June 29 if the government fails to withdraw entry tax levied on Goan vehicles.
This decision was taken during a meeting at Virnoda Panchayat hall on Sunday.
Dhargal ZP Tukaram Harmalkar; former sports minister Babu Azgoankar; NCP Goa secretary Rajendra Satelkar; Shiv Sena leader Praddep Borkar; North Goa Shiv Sena chief Pradeep Borkar; North Goa District Shiv Sena chief Ananad Shirgaonkar; former deputy chairperson Narayan Mayekar; Pernem Bus Owners Association president Nitin Narse; members Hanuman Shetgoankar, Umesh Talvanekar, Prakash Kambli, Anand Bhise and others were present for the meeting.
“If the government fails to withdraw the entry toll for Goan-registered vehicles, we will go on an indefinite hunger strike at Dhargal toll post from June 29,” warned AGBOA general secretary Sudeep Tamankar.
“When Manohar Parrikar was the chief minister, he took the decision to levy entry tax on May 12, 2014. If Parrikar could appoint 12 inspectors and 15 transport guards in one day, the state government can also cancel the decision in the same manner,” said Tamankar.
Azgoankar said the government should not met out injustice to the common men by levying tax on vehicles.
North Goa Shiv Sena chief Anand Shirodkar said the decision to levy entry tax is just a gimmick, adding further that if levying of entry tax is not cancelled then it should be extended to vehicles used by ministers and MLAs as well.
Rajan Satelkar said: “We fight for our right and by introducing new schemes. The government is looting the people.”
Bus owner Shambhu Gawas termed the decision as an injustice to the common man. “The government has hiked everything with regards to transport, so and why there is a need to introduce entry tax,” he asked.
Shiv Sena state chief Pradeep Borkar said the fight should be continued till the government cancels the decision, and assured that Shiv Sena will support the bus owners in their struggle.
Dhargal ZP Tukaram Harmalkar, Umesh Talwankar and others also spoke on the occasion.
