Entry fee protest: Transporters' stir continues in Goa

Panaji, May 14: The transporters continued their strike in

on the second day today, refusing to withdraw it until the government resolves the issue of toll fee levied on the non-Goan vehicles entering the state.

"The strike will continue till Goa government resolves the issue. Today is the second day and impact would be visible from tomorrow onwards," All India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC) president Bal Malkit Singh said.

The transporters began agitating since mid night of Monday demanding roll back of the toll fee levied by the Goa government on non-Goan vehicles.

State Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar has refused to withdraw the fee, which he says is the tax imposed for using the state infrastructure.

Singh said that almost all the members have stopped the work. "Few members have not loaded the trucks, while many have parked it on the borders," he claimed.

The AIMTC leaders also held discussions with the Karnataka and Maharashtra police, alleging that police were forcing the members to ply into Goa.

"We have told the police that they should not force our members to do anything," Singh said.

AIMTC representatives met Parrikar last evening.

Singh said that the Chief Minister has called for another round of meeting on May 17.

"We are hoping for early resolution of the issue. But till the time the issue is settled, the strike will continue," he said.

The continuation of strike is feared to affect the supplies of essential commodities like milk, vegetables and grocery items in Goa.

Goa State Horticulture Development Corporation (GSHCL), a state run entity, had stocked vegetables for two days which will start running short at their 600-odd outlets from Wednesday onwards.

The corporation officials may approach the state government asking them to have a dialogue with the counterparts in Karnataka to provide security for their 31 trucks, which carry vegetables from neighbouring Belgaum to Goa.

PTI