Taxi operators under GST radar, 263 get notices

PANAJI
Barely three months after Transport Minister Mauvin Godinho criticised tourist taxi operators for evading taxes and staying out of the GST system, the government has moved to action. Taxi operators across Goa have begun receiving GST notices – a planned move to bring this sector under the single tax regime.

GST officials confirmed to The Goan that notices were issued to 263 tourist taxi operators with the entire traditional business now also falling under the radar of the Income Tax department.

Several operators, now under the tax radar, have confirmed to The Goan receiving these notices and slammed the government of harassment for opposing cab aggregators entering the market. It is reliably learnt that those having four or more cabs are issued notices.

President of the North Goa Tourist Taxi Owners Association Vasudev Arlekar has accused the government of targeting them with “revenge tactics” after several members of his association received official notices.

“Many of our operators run their taxis on loans. We are being unfairly inconvenienced. Despite having no business, the government wants GST collection. Many of us have been in this industry for 25-30 years, and this is how we are being rewarded. The BJP is not the government of Goans,” he condemned, speaking to The Goan. Taxi operators have hit out at what they call the government’s hypocrisy claiming that while it speaks of promoting local businesses, it is instead clamping down on local earnings.

“How can the government preach about protecting local businesses when they are crushing our livelihoods and letting non-Goans destroy our heritage and environment?” one of the association members said.

Another union leader Laxman Korgaonkar alias Bappa confirmed receiving the notice while quickly adding he complied with it. “My earnings don’t exceed Rs 10 lakh per annum but the government wants proof. I have submitted all my documents,” he said, however expressing frustration adding, “This is pure harassment for standing against cab aggregators and outsiders who are trying to steal our traditional business.”

Former general secretary of the taxi association Vinayak Nanoskar echoed these sentiments, accusing the government of collecting GST from even the poorest. “We will follow GST rules but how will the government prove our earnings? This is nothing but harassment. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant is a puppet and Transport Minister Mauvin Godinho is failing the stakeholders. This government will collapse if it doesn’t tackle the basic needs of locals,” he stated.

Nanoskar also referred to the Competition Commission of India (New Delhi) ruling not allowing external players like Ola and Uber into Goa. “We fought and won against these companies,” he stated with Arlekar further criticising the government for ignoring illegal operations by Maharashtra and Karnataka registered vehicles.

“Goa is becoming a banana republic. Anyone can do anything here, as long as they pay bribes and commissions,” Arlekar alleged.

Against the backdrop of dispute between GoaMiles and tourist taxi operators, Godinho had claimed that GoaMiles is within the tax regime, generating Rs 8.5 crore for the government, unlike the tourist taxis.

The Transport Minister was unavailable for comment despite attempts to reach out.